Janet All Smiles - and Svelte!

Filed Under: Janet Jackson Michael Jackson Spread 'Em

Janet Jackson looks seriously stunning in the new issue of Harper's Bazaar, of which she appears on the cover.

The songstress gave her first interview since the passing of her brother, Michael.

Check out some of the highlights below:

On the media since Michael passed away:
"It will drive you crazy. People can have rhinoceros skin, but there's a point when something's going to hurt you. Not everyone is stone, stone. I haven't watched the news in weeks. I had to ask my chef, 'How's Obama doing?' I haven't read a newspaper. On top of that, [we've lost] a family member."

On being strong since losing her brother:
"I always wanted to have my mother's strength, but I didn't know if it was really there. But a few years back, something happened and I learned that I did. I'm not going to mention it, but we all know what it is. And now, coming off all this, it's even beyond that. I was just focused on my job at that moment within my family. Now at least I know that I can step up to the plate and not crumble when I'm needed. When it comes to something like this that is so, so serious, so painful, so traumatic, I can handle it."

On her relationship with Michael:
"My brother is, I mean was…[shifts uncomfortably]. You have to forgive me, because it's really hard to believe he's passed. He'd have the same red shirt, the same black pants, the same white tee-shirt. Mike was very simple. When I was 14 years old, I would shop for him. [Michael was then 21 and a megastar]. I washed his clothes, cleaned his room. When mother would go out of town, she'd say 'I'm leaving you in charge. Take care of Mike.' I would head home from school, see what he needed, then go straight to the stores….You know people see this of you, they have a fantasy in their mind, and to really get to know the true person, it's different. Michael was a big brother. He was always very protective of me."

Sad.

[Images by Tom Munro/Harper's Bazaar.]

Posted: September 9, 2009 at 12:26 pm