Janet Jackson Becomes First Black Woman To Get Billboard Icon Award

Legendary pop singer Janet Jackson received the ICON Award at Billboard Music Awards, held in Las Vegas on May 20.

She has become the first Black woman to receive this honour.

Singer Bruno Mars surprised the fans by taking the stage to introduce Janet. Before presenting the award, he told the crowd she "represents undeniable artistic genius". He ended the introduction by naming her as “the first Black woman to ever receive the Billboard Icon Award”.

Each ICON recipient performs, and Jackson too gave a wonderful performance. The 52-year-old performed three of her songs, including “Nasty,” ‘’If” And “Throb”.

This was Janet's first televised performance in nine years. It was also the first time she performed as a mom.

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Surrounded by dozens of dancers, she showed off her dance skills. She donned a sparkling gold sweatshirt dress and shiny gold thigh-high shoes.

AN ICON.

Watch Janet Jackson's knockout medley of "Nasty," "If" & "Throb" at the #BBMAs https://t.co/L68Xd8BqGi pic.twitter.com/66pxXWyfwB

— billboard (@billboard) May 21, 2018

GIMME A BEAT! @JanetJackson's dance moves are ICONIC... JUST. LIKE. HER. #BBMAs #ICON_JANET pic.twitter.com/tFWXJpAPCm

— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018

Janet used her speech to pay tribute to powerful women.

Janet shared heartfelt words in her speech. Her speech was all about powerful women. She spoke about discrimination and the importance of women speaking out against abuse.

In her acceptance speech, she said, “I’m deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I believe that for all the challenges, all of our challenges, we live a great moment in history. It’s a moment that at long last women have made it clear that we will not be controlled, manipulated or abused.”

Adding to it, she said, “I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged by discrimination who support us in heart or mind."

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She ended her speech on a beautiful note and gave the message of faith. Janet said, “Source is God. Everything we lack, God has in abundance: compassion, sensitivity, patience and boundless love. Again I want to thank all of you for this honor and I thank God for giving me the precious energy that lets me live my life as an artist who every day seeks to expand my capacity to love.”

Thank u all for sharing these special moments with me. #BBMAs #ICON_JANET pic.twitter.com/2F6PhYs5e1

— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) May 14, 2018

Janet has received this honour just days after the 25th anniversary of her seminal album Janet.

She is the seventh artiste to receive this award.

Also Read: Frances McDormand’s Speech Is Oscars’ Feminist Moment

Picture Credit: Spin

Deepali Is An Intern With SheThePeople.TV