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Janet Jackson's Essence Music Festival Style Screams Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga

by Mark Marino (Subscribe to Mark Marino's posts)
Posted Jul 6th 2010 at 7:20PM  
126 Comments
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Janet Jackson metallic corset leotard knee high metallic boots

Janet Jackson looking a little, um, familiar. Photo: Sean Gardner, Getty Images

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

That might have been the motto Janet Jackson had in mind when choosing her attire for the Essence Music Festival.

Wearing her hair in a newly cropped style, the 44-year-old "Nasty" girl channeled 20-something chart toppers Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga in a metallic gold futuristic corset, a skimpy sparkly leotard with fishnets, and gold knee pads just above her matching boots.

The steamy two-hour set, which included all of Jackson's greatest hits as well as an S&M routine, marked the singer's first live show in more than two years, reports the Daily Mail.

Though Jackson appears to be competing with the new generation of pop stars, she told U.K. magazine Wonderland that she doesn't consider them a threat. In fact Jackson admits that she's a fan of Gaga, though she isn't so sure about her style,

"Do I think it's over the top at all? I enjoy it because it's something kind of different. It's something new to look at," she says. "It's going to be hard [for her] to keep up with that, but who knows?"

Jackson also adds that she was rocking bandages long before Rihanna ever did.

"Have I done that before? Yes," Jackson tells the magazine. "I'm not saying she's copying me. Everything is cyclical. They come back around at some point."

As for keeping up with the Joneses -- and the Beyoncés, the Rihannas, and the Gagas -- Miss Jackson explains to Wonderland, "I don't look at it like that. It's really about being who you are and doing what you want to do. I think when you try to keep up with something, it's not a good thing. You have to express yourself and be the true you."

Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna all rockin' space-age stage wear. Photos: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images | Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagic | PI / INFphoto.com

Wait a sec -- didn't Madonna say that first?

In related news, check out the over-the-top ensemble Rihanna wore at her Vancouver concert.

Read All Comments
Filed under: Celebrity, News, Celebrity Style
Tags: Beyonce, bodysuits, corsets, Essence Music Festival, futuristic, imitation, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, performance wear, Rihanna, singers, space-age, stage wear, Wonderland Magazine
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READER COMMENTS

(126)Add A Comment

antonram02, 7-06-2010, 8:49PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
antonram02

She looks like a man. She is trying too hard to keep up with women who are much younger. If you were old enough to wear this 20 years ago, you not be wearing it the second time around.

Reply »

Carlene, 7-08-2010, 12:54AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Carlene

She looks okay. Nice body. If you have it, flaunt it. So what about her age. I would pay big bucks to see some of the negative "posters" trying to wear it! You go, girl. (From a 52 year old who appreciates everyone being allowed to do what they want!)

»

angela, 7-09-2010, 6:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
angela

Um, excuse me? Janet is the original. Not Rihanna, Gaga, Beyonce or whoever.

»

darrren12000, 7-07-2010, 8:31AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
darrren12000

You are out of your mind! Clearly, you are very young. Go back and look at Janet's catalogue of videos and listen to her music. Rihanna screams Janet - not the other way around! What a silly column.

Reply »

Babsy2010, 7-07-2010, 8:17PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Babsy2010

I agree! Janet did all of that FIRST! She was bad when the other girls were still in diapers! And she still looks awesome!

»

natosha, 7-08-2010, 7:21AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
natosha

I agree, hell janet actually wore those knee and shin guards years ago in black and silver in that scream video she did with micheal, I have always thought of re re as a young janket. so that is old news, and yes she maybe trying to amp up her style to keep up with the younger crowd, but so what..madona is like 60 and shes done the same thing for her entire carrer and no one said a word as far as I know, leave janet alone, and let her take the ride with the younger singers as almost all of them do..even gwen stafani did it..she changed her entire sound to keep up with the changes in tastes.she went from grundge to pop as soon as her last album before going solo didnt sell as well..those are just two examples..ok one more..metallica..enough said...

»

Anne, 7-07-2010, 10:13PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Anne

One very interesting thing about fashion is that it has a way of coming back, though with a little changes here and there. Janet isn't copying anyone.

Reply »

sapphire, 7-07-2010, 8:16PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
sapphire

Dear Antonramo:
We all get old if we are lucky,Janets figure is just as slim and sexy as the others and her attributes are REAL.How does one look like a man,PRINCE,BON JOVI, TED NUGENT, NATIVE AMERICANS (some) Louis IV,The Beatles.Just as prejudice enters old vs young lovers Female older Cougar predaory animal male older Player .I wonder if some people are born of a WOMAN????

Reply »

Amy, 7-07-2010, 8:28PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Amy

oh please. Madonna was doing S&M style when Lady Gaga was crapping in her diapers. Beyonce and that other chick were probably just being born. God the media is pathetic. Once a "star" turns a certain age they become a "has-been" and they forget who started a fashion. Just pathetic

Reply »

Cindi, 7-07-2010, 8:29PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Cindi

I am SO glad I'm not theonly one that remembers Janet looking way hotter than these wannabes will ever look!

Reply »

april, 7-07-2010, 8:33PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
april

Am I the only one that thinks the real issue is that grown women are wearing what equates to a sparkly onesie? Ugh!! It just looks ridiculous and like they are all trying too hard. They are all beautiful and talented, so why the frigging bodysuits? Tacky!

Reply »

John, 7-07-2010, 9:12PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
John

She ought to hire artist Sorayama and use his sexy organic robotic stlyes.

Reply »

gagafickinugly, 7-07-2010, 8:36PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
gagafickinugly

Lady GAGA or whatever Lady UGLY she certainly is pathetic
looking. Ugliest entertainer out there. Half beast and half woman.

Reply »

Tracy, 7-08-2010, 12:31PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Tracy

I think Janet Jackson and Beyonce look great!!! I think Lady Gaga and Rhianna look like ladies of the evening and the town clown!!!!!!

Reply »

Byrdman8264, 7-07-2010, 8:39PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Byrdman8264

Janet is a fine looking woman and with her new hair style looks great on her, she really does not have to dress that way because looks hot in what ever she wears , you see she don't wear the stupied make up like Lady Gaga does or act like a tramp in public , she don't her private life like Rihanna does and she don't try to market every thing like Beyonce does with her mom , she does a great job singing and doing her dancing moves so maybe she is just showing the public that she is still on top

Reply »

Charlene, 7-07-2010, 8:40PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Charlene

J.J. is bad! She has been doing her thing when these other chicks weren't even thought about. She has as much curves as B, GaGa and RiRi. She is one bad chick.

Reply »

Ben, 7-07-2010, 8:45PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Ben

Forgt the fishnets, just wear the regular tights/pantyhose that are shiney and sheer.

Reply »

Patsy Lee Park, 7-07-2010, 8:49PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Patsy Lee Park

JANET RULES!!! You guys should remember that her brother was the hottest and still is the hottest Pop Artist on the planet and she did work with him. Need I say more?

Reply »

John Bundy, 7-07-2010, 9:20PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
John Bundy

Damn, I thought it looked like something that Mikey Jackson might have worn.

Reply »

Richard, 7-07-2010, 9:38PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Richard

Janet....YOU ARE FAT

Reply »

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