The legendary Janet Jackson started her acceptance speech at the 2025 American Music Awards with an implausibly modest statement.
“I am so, so honored — I’m so grateful. I mean no disrespect in any way, but I don’t consider myself an icon,” she said while holding the ICON Award onstage at the ceremony on Monday. “My family, myself, our dream was to … it wasn’t ever to be famous. We weren’t raised like that. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing — and fame came with the result of hard work and dedication.”
Unsurprisingly, Katherine Jackson’s youngest child offered us her trademark humility in her sweet whisper. But for her fans, including myself, I couldn’t believe she made this statement as if she is not the Janet Damita Jo Jackson, our dancing diva who is the lady of the “Butterfly” and the “8-Count.” She’s the visionary behind some of the greatest music videos, tours and performances in pop music. She is the template of success for the generations of artists who have followed her.
“I’m excited to see Janet. I haven’t seen her in years, and I’m glad that she’s being celebrated, too,” said Jennifer Lopez, who hosted the show and once danced for Jackson.
As much fuss has rightfully been made about Jackson’s American Music Awards moment being her first TV performance in seven years, not nearly enough has been said about this being the first time she blessed CBS with a performance since her 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, which included the infamous “Nipplegate” incident. (You can watch her American Music Awards performance here.)
