The status means that she has become the wealthiest member of her famous family, even outstripping her superstar brother Michael Jackson, who never reached billionaire wealth during his lifetime.

Over her career, Jackson boasts 27 top ten hits and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. She also successfully forayed into acting with films such as ‘Why Did I Get Married’ and ‘The Nutty Professor’. Her touring income also makes up a large part of her net worth.

Variety Magazine reports that Jackson has amassed $458 million from touring, $260 million from her albums, $81 million from sponsorship deals and her acting roles have given her $304 million.

Along with such celebrities as Oprah and J.K. Rowling, Jackson joins her husband Wissam Al Man in the elite billionaire’s club.

Check out Janet Jackson performing her hit ‘Rhythm Nation’ on Ellen DeGeneres in 2008 below:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/janetjackson/view/76193/ Mon, 20 May 2013 07:57:56 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/janetjackson/view/76193/ Janet Jackson has confirmed that she has started the process of creating new music.

The singer's last album came in the shape of 2008's 'Discipline', which hit No.1 in the US charts upon release.

Speaking to Billboard, Jackson revealed that a new "project" was in the works - but she added that fans shouldn't expect to hear new material soon. The singer said::

"I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music. I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don't want to rush it…I don't want to put a time constraint on the creative process."

Referring to the 20th anniversary of her album 'janet', Jackson added:

"I can't believe it is already 20 years! I always write my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. I wanted to allow people in...I want my fans to really know me. The 'janet' album was sexual, and I was beginning to really discover that side of me."

The Jackson family have been in apparent turmoil over the past couple of weeks after matriarch Katherine Jackson was the subject of a missing persons complaint from a relative.

Katherine was later found to be okay, but family fractions remained - with Michael Jackson's daughter Paris using Twitter to vent her frustration.

It had been reported that Janet Jackson had allegedly slapped Paris and insulted her during a heated discussion, but Janet's attorney Blair G Brown has denied the report. Brown said:

"Ms Jackson did not slap Paris, and did not call her a 'spoiled little bitch' or a 'bitch'...[These] false statements are highly damaging to Ms Jackson's reputation and have caused her significant harm."

Speculation had been rife that Jackson was being lined up to fill one of the vacant seats on the judging panel of the US version of the popular TV talent show.

Jackson had appeared coy when asked about the possible role on American TV.

But the singer confirmed to The Insider that she won't be appearing on the next series of the show. She said:

"[I am] very flattered that X Factor let me know that I was being considered for next season, but it just wouldn't be possible."

Jackson's representatives added: "There have been absolutely no meetings between Janet and anyone with regard to X-Factor."

Gossip however remains over Britney Spears and a possible role on X Factor USA, with boss Simon Cowell going public with his admiration for the pop superstar.

The 45-year-old superstar appeared to be caught off guard when the CNN anchorman asked if she had been approached to fill one of the judging roles left by the departures of Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul during a chat on his '360' show.

Whilst laughing and stumbling over her words, she replied: “No I’m not a judge on The X Factor.”

But when pressed for further clarification by Cooper, she warily responded: “No, I am not, but that’s all I really think I should say.”

The interview came just days after The Hollywood Reporter claimed Jackson was already in early talks with Simon Cowell about the 2012 series, which the likes of Mariah Carey, Katy Perry and Pink have also been linked with.

The superstar was a guest on Monday night's (January 9) Tonight Show with Jay Leno and opened up about her shocking weight gain of around 68lbs a few years back that had the tongues of the world's media wagging:

"Well, I put on the weight for a film that I was to [suppose] to do and at the very last minute they had to change the schedule of the film, which didn’t work with my schedule so I had to pull out.  I had all of this weight that I had to get off of me."

When asked about the children of her late brother Michael Jackson, Janet admitted that she has advised his 13-year-old daughter Paris to stay away from showbiz until she is old enough to deal with its pressures:

"You're only young once and to really have a wonderful time and enjoy it, she has the rest of her life to be an adult, and she should study, she should go to school and study the craft and think about college and maybe study abroad, acting, and then when she becomes 18 she could dive into it if she wants."

Speaking to Us Weekly, the singer however said that she hoped that people could relate to her because of her life-long battle with yo-yo weight. She said:

"[My weight] is something I've dealt with all my life, and it's been an issue for me. People can relate to me because I have lived it."

Jackson, who recently became a spokesperson for diet company Nutrisystem, added:

"I truly understand what it's like to have a problem with weight loss, losing too much weight or gaining more than you desire to and becoming unhealthy. I still have a way to go, and there's not a lot that I want to lose. But I'll know it when I reach it."

The 'That's the Way Love Goes' singer, according to a post on her official website, has created a "line of luxe fur outerwear and accessories will debut in stores in November" and it will include mink coats, jackets, vests, scarves and gloves, along with other luxurious accessories.

Speaking of the high end collection, Jackson explained: "The art of fashion is one of my great passions. I've worked for years to bring a collection into the world. Partnering with Blackglama is very exciting."

Mike McCrea, the VP of Marketing for Blackglama, added:

"When we began preparation for the second Blackglama campaign, Janet became very involved in the design process. The result was an amazing collection of Blackglama garments and accessories that reflect Janet’s tremendous sense of style and fashion. This is one of the most visually appealing and innovative Blackglama collections I have seen." 

Watch official footage of Jackson working with the fashion house below:

The shows affected by her snap decision were due to take place later this week on October 26, 27 and 29, but she has since announced that a one-off concert will be held at the Rod Laver Arena on November 3 to make up for the unexpected change of plans. 

Writing on her official website, Jackson explained:

"I want to thank my fans in Australia for their love, support and understanding. When I planned these shows, the schedule in California was completely different. After talking with my family last night, I decided we must be together right now. I'm looking forward to being with you for the Gold Coast, Sydney, and the Melbourne concerts. You are all so important to me. This saddens me in so many ways. I love you."

Watch her energetic performance of 'Together Again' from her recent date in Perth, Australia below:

The singer, who has a total of 33 number one songs, performed some of most-loved tracks, including 'Control' and 'What Have You Done For Me Lately', at the Yas Island development which is valued at $36 billion.

A local barman, Ron Espenocilla, said that he almost lost his job over the show:

"I missed two of her tours in the Philippines because I was either studying or living here and this time I wasn't going to miss it. I told my job one month before that I have to go to do this and they were not happy but I told myself it was worth leaving it if they said no ... lucky they agreed"

The 45-year-old singer has been attending the trials of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is being accused of the involuntary manslaughter of her brother, Michael.

Watch these fan videos of Janet Jackson performing 'Nothing', 'Control' and 'Pleasure Principle' from her Number Ones Tour earlier this year:

The gig is due to take place on October 8 in Cardiff, which is just a few short weeks after the beginning of Dr. Conrad Murray's court case on September 20. Although she didn't openly criticise the show, Janet released a simple statement that explained how she plans to avoid it because of the unfortunate clash of dates:

"Because of the trial, the timing of this tribute to our brother would be too difficult for me,"

The 'Whoops Now' singer isn't the only family member to react to the gig's close proximity to the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray as Jermaine and Randy have also expressed their disappointment at its "inappropriate" and "ill-timed" schedule. 

Watch Janet's 2009 tribute to Michael at the MTV VMAs here:

His voice will be heard when she performs their '95 duet, 'Scream', on Thursday, June 30 and she said of the decision to bring his spirit into the live show:

"It’s therapeutic and it makes me smile inside. The energy of the song is so fierce."

The 'All For You' singer will be live in concert at the Royal Albert Hall on June 30, July 2 and July 3, and you can watch footage from her recent show in Las Vegas below:

The event, Liaisons au Louvre, is a bi-annual fundraiser held by socialite Becca Cason Thrash, for which tickets cost $10,000 each.

“The Louvre and its stunning glass pyramid are equaled only by the priceless treasures that are housed within its impressive walls,” the 'All For You’ singer said in a statement. “It is an honor to be asked to participate in such an incredible evening at this historic location. Liaisons au Louvre will be an unequaled event, raising much needed funds for this institution and the preservation of art that moves the soul.”

Jackson is currently on her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour which culminates on April 23 in Las Vegas.

Watch fan footage of Janet performing ‘Nasty’ on Wednesday night in Denver below. 

The star's last movie was the 2010 hit 'For Colored Girls' and she is now turning her hand to what goes on behind the scenes as she goes after a career as a producer. She told The Hollywood Reporter:

"Many people forget I started out as an actor,"

"I have been fortunate to work in the film industry, though not as much as I would like. I have a passion for storytelling, and have been doing it through my music for some time."

The Lionsgate president of motion picture development, Mike Paseornek, also issued a statement about Jackson's move into the film industry and explained:

"She is a powerful on-screen presence, with a vast audience, and we believe she will be an equally powerful presence behind the scenes,"  

"We are honored to be able to provide a home for her ideas, passion and immense talent."

No other information has been revealed about possible forthcoming projects as the 'Whoops Now' singer is currently on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal world tour, but you can watch the opening minutes of her recent Chicago show here:

The soft-spoken singer revealed she used to hate how she looked, so much so that she would self-harm.

“There was a time when I was down and felt so unattractive, and it lasted a very long time, that I would bang my head against the wall,” she said.

Jackson, who is promoting her new book ‘True You,’ also talked about her late brother Michael, saying he was “very sweet, very gentle, incredibly smart” and her tumultuous relationship with her father, Joe.

“I would go over to a friend’s house when Mother would let me go, and I’d see my friends’ relationship with their father, how they’d call him Dad,” she explained. “One time I tried to call [my father] Dad but he said, “No, I’m Joseph, you call me Joseph.” 

Watch some clips from Jackson family home movies here: