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Happy 57th birthday, Janet Jackson! The pop icon's music career in photos

Happy birthday, Janet Jackson! The award-winning pop icon turns 55 on May 16, 2021. Take a look at her music career in pictures.
Happy birthday, Janet Jackson! The award-winning pop icon turns 55 on May 16, 2021. Take a look at her music career in pictures.
Gregg DeGuire, Getty Images For The Recording Academy
Michael Jackson, right, is joined by his sisters, from left, Rebbie, Janet and LaToya at the 26th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 29, 1984, as he receives an award for best male pop vocal.
Michael Jackson, right, is joined by his sisters, from left, Rebbie, Janet and LaToya at the 26th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 29, 1984, as he receives an award for best male pop vocal.
Doug Pizac, AP
Janet Jackson is shown during a pause in filming scenes for TV ' s " Fame " at New York ' s South Street Seaport on July 24, 1984.
Janet Jackson is shown during a pause in filming scenes for TV's "Fame" at New York's South Street Seaport on July 24, 1984.
AP
Jackson in a 1989 photo, the year she released her album " Rhythm Nation 1814.
Jackson in a 1989 photo, the year she released her album "Rhythm Nation 1814.
AP
Jackson waves to fans as she unveils her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 20, 1990, in Los Angeles.
Jackson waves to fans as she unveils her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 20, 1990, in Los Angeles.
Nick Ut, AP
Jackson rocked a big cap and oversized hoops for a photo in 1993.
Jackson rocked a big cap and oversized hoops for a photo in 1993.
AP
Michael Jackson kisses his sister Janet after she presented him with the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1993.
Michael Jackson kisses his sister Janet after she presented him with the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1993.
Scott Flynn, AFP Via Getty Images
Janet Jackson with brother Michael at the MTV Music Video Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 1995.
Janet Jackson with brother Michael at the MTV Music Video Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 1995.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell presents Jackson with a miniature red wagon, a representation of America ' s Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at a news conference on March 12, 1998, in New York.
Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell presents Jackson with a miniature red wagon, a representation of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at a news conference on March 12, 1998, in New York.
Matt Campbell, AFP Via Getty Images
Jackson look to South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela ' s residence in Johannesburg on Nov. 10, 1998.
Jackson look to South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela's residence in Johannesburg on Nov. 10, 1998.
AFP Via Getty Images
Jackson kicks off her U.S. concert tour in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 1998.
Jackson kicks off her U.S. concert tour in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 1998.
Jym Wilson, USA TODAY Network
Jackson and Eddie Murphy star in the 2000 film " Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
Jackson and Eddie Murphy star in the 2000 film "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
Universal Studio
Jackson arrives at the premiere of " Nutty Professor II " with her father Joe Jackson in Universal City, California, on July 24, 2000.
Jackson arrives at the premiere of  "Nutty Professor II" with her father Joe Jackson in Universal City, California, on July 24, 2000.
Lucy Nicholson, AFP Via Getty Images
Jackson performs in concert on Aug. 23, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Jackson performs in concert on Aug. 23, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
George De Sota, Getty Images
Gloria Estefan, left, Mathew McConaughey and Jackson announce album of the year at the 44th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2002.
Gloria Estefan, left, Mathew McConaughey and Jackson announce album of the year at the 44th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2002.
Hector Mata, AFP Via Getty Images
Jackson received the Reader ' s Choice Award at the 2002 Essence Awards.
Jackson received the Reader's Choice Award at the 2002 Essence Awards.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004, in Houston.
Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004, in Houston.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Jackson and then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2004, in Los Angeles.
Jackson and then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2004, in Los Angeles.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Jackson poses for a USA TODAY portrait at the L ' Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 20, 2004.
Jackson poses for a USA TODAY portrait at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 20, 2004.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Jackson arrives at a record release party for her new CD " Damita Jo " at Spice Market on March 29, 2004, in New York.
Jackson arrives at a record release party for her new CD "Damita Jo" at Spice Market on March 29, 2004, in New York.
Evan Agostini, Getty Images
Jackson appears on " The Tonight Show with Jay Leno " on April 29, 2004.
Jackson appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on April 29, 2004.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Janet Jackson and Dupri attend the Bill Blass Fall 2005 show during the Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park on Feb. 8, 2005, in New York.
Janet Jackson and Dupri attend the Bill Blass Fall 2005 show during the Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park on Feb. 8, 2005, in New York.
Peter Kramer, Getty Images
Jackson arrives at the 2006 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California.
Jackson arrives at the 2006 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Jackson poses while promoting her new album " 20 Years Old " on July 26, 2006, in Berlin.
Jackson poses while promoting her new album "20 Years Old" on July 26, 2006, in Berlin.
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images
Jackson holds a snake as she arrives at the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino during the club ' s anniversary party on Sept. 30, 2006, in Las Vegas.
Jackson holds a snake as she arrives at the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino during the club's anniversary party on Sept. 30, 2006, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
A few months later, she performs onstage at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
A few months later, she performs onstage at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Jackson watches Venus Williams at the US Open on Aug. 27, 2007, in Flushing Meadows, NY.
Jackson watches Venus Williams at the US Open on Aug. 27, 2007, in Flushing Meadows, NY.
Don Emmert, AFP Via Getty Images
The singer arrives during at an event honoring the Recording Academy ' s newly elected chair of the board Jimmy Jam on Sept. 12, 2007, in Malibu, California.
The singer arrives during at an event honoring the Recording Academy's newly elected chair of the board Jimmy Jam on Sept. 12, 2007, in Malibu, California.
Gus Ruelas, AP
Rihanna and Jackson pose together at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party on Feb. 9, 2008.
Rihanna and Jackson pose together at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party on Feb. 9, 2008.
Matt Sayles, AP
Jackson accepts the award for best supporting actress in a motion picture for " Tyler Perry ' s Why Did I Get Married " at the 2008 NAACP Image Awards.
Jackson accepts the award for best supporting actress in a motion picture for "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married" at the 2008 NAACP Image Awards.
Jesse Grant, Getty Images
Jackson accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 26, 2008.
Jackson accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 26, 2008.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Janet Jackson, along with Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket), attend the public memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009, weeks after her brother died at age 50.
Janet Jackson, along with Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket), attend the public memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009, weeks after her brother died at age 50.
Pool, Getty Images
A few months later, she ' s seen performing during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
A few months later, she's seen performing during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images
She also performs at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.
She also performs at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Jackson performs during the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 2, 2010, in New Orleans.
Jackson performs during the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 2, 2010, in New Orleans.
Sean Gardner, Getty Images
Jackson promotes her book " True You: A Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself " at Barnes & Noble in New York on March 19, 2011.
Jackson promotes her book "True You: A Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself" at Barnes & Noble in New York on March 19, 2011.
Dario Cantatore, Getty Images
Jackson performs live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 2, 2011, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Jackson performs live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 2, 2011, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Matt Roberts, Getty Images
Jackson arrives at the 2012 amfAR ' s Cinema Against AIDS during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 24, 2012, in France.
Jackson arrives at the 2012 amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 24, 2012, in France.
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images
The following year, she returns to the annual Cinema Against AIDS event.
The following year, she returns to the annual Cinema Against AIDS event.
Alberto Pizzoli, AFP Via Getty Images
In 2016, Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup on March 26, 2016.
In 2016, Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup on March 26, 2016.
Francois Nel, Getty Images
Jackson attends OUT Magazine #OUT100 Event presented by Lexus at the the Altman Building on Nov. 9, 2017, in New York.
Jackson attends OUT Magazine #OUT100 Event presented by Lexus at the the Altman Building on Nov. 9, 2017, in New York.
Bryan Bedder
She attends the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018, in Las Vegas.
She attends the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018, in Las Vegas.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Jackson performs on her State of the World tour on July 20, 2018.
Jackson performs on her State of the World tour on July 20, 2018.
John Whitehead For The York Daily Record
She ' s seen taking the stage during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Nov. 4, 2018, in Bilbao, Spain.
She's seen taking the stage during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Nov. 4, 2018, in Bilbao, Spain.
Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images For MTV
Most recently, Jackson could be seen speaking during her induction into the Rock and Roll Fame on March 29, 2019, in New York.
Most recently, Jackson could be seen speaking during her induction into the Rock and Roll Fame on March 29, 2019, in New York.
Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images For The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame