by Valencia Dantzker aka Mother Diva
Tuesday, May 13th, 2026
It is hard to believe this sweet little firecracker adorable baby girl is turning 60.
Janet Jackson aka Donk was born in Gary Indiana on May 16, 1966. She was the last and final chapter of Ms. Katherine and Joe’s bundles of joy. A cute, sassy, cosmic completion to the greatest entertainment family of the 20th Century. 2300 Jackson St. was a two room house and Janet and her sisters slept in the living room on the couch. Baby Jan was going to sleep and waking up to music. She was only 3 years old when the family moved to California. Donk, nicknamed by her brothers, spent time with her famous brothers, the Jackson 5, in rehearsals and recording studios. Often playing the pitty pat hand game with brother Randy, little Ms. Jackson began to develop her acting skills. Soon she was gracing our television screens with many sassy performances in show stopping costumes. My favorite is when she imitates Mae West.
Throughout her career Janet has appeared in 7 television series and 14 motion pictures. 2026 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of her 3rd album and 1st album, with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, “Control.”
A global Icon, Janet has won two Emmys, 5 Grammys with 26 nominations, 11 Billboard Awards, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for the film “Poetic Justice”, 16 NAACP Image Awards, 11 studio albums selling over 160 million records worldwide (before social media) and Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The only woman in the universe that made a key in one hoop earring famous. I know the reason cannot tell you it is one of the answers to our Janet Jackson Trivia.
In 2022 for the 25th Anniversary of her Velvet Rope Album, the musical work was reissued and went to Number One again. In 1998 I wrote a spoof of her song “I Get Lonely” called “I Get Hungry.” I will release it for the 30th Anniversary in 2028 “Hilarious.”
Ms. Janet Damita Jo Jackson has defied all odds and has empowered us as women with her unstoppable spirit. Janet’s tours collectively have grossed over 458 million dollars. The “Funny How Time Flys” singer had a baby at 50 years of age and in 5 months was right back on stage touring.
My favorite character was when Janet portrayed Penny on “Good Times.” That was some of the best acting for a child. I identified with Penny because I too had been abused by my birth mother. I look forward to meeting Janet very soon.
Check out this beautiful mural of Janet as Penny on 25th and Broadway in Gary Indiana (painted by artist Max Sansing)
JANET JACKSON BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE Celebrating 40 years of Control Album.
Thursday May 14, 2026, 12PM to 1PM
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Chicago IL
DJ Rose Red, Spinning Janet’s house music remixes, wear a hoop earring with key.
Trivia: win autograph pix of Janet
THRILLER DANCE 2300 Presents Janet Jackson’s 60th BIRTHDay Tribute
Free Giveaway 23rd and Jackson St. Gary Indiana
Thursday May 14, 2026, 3:30PM to 5:30 PM
FREE Clothes, Shoes, and Household items, Win Free Trivia Game autograph pics of Janet Jackson & One $60 Visa Card towards graduation fees.
(bring proof your child is graduating) Janet favorite foods will be served, Chocolate Bday Cake, Fried Chicken Wings, Mostaccioli and more.
SPONSORED IN PART BY:
PanoramaNOW Entertainment News,
Win A Free Ticket to Tina Turner Tribute Concert at Hard Rock Casino On the PanoramaNOW Facebook Page
and
Simply Extravagant
Party Rental for all your party needs,
They have tables, chairs, generators, backdrops, throne chairs all at affordable rates
(They also deliver)
https://www.facebook.com/SimplyEPR/
Merrillville, Indiana
AND
Urban League of Northwest Indiana Young Professionals
Check out various opportunities to be apart of this wonderful organization
and please donate
https://www.urbanleagueofnwi.org/
Gary, Indiana
Panoramanow Newsblog,
(Published with 5 Platforms)
Get your business promoted
We offer over 25 services to make your business visible.
We have over 170k Followers on Facebook,
PLUS 13 Social Media Platforms,
and 400 Facebook Groups.
Check out our Physical Magazine May-November
Business Card Ad for just $60.
Mention this article and get 10 percent off ALL SUMMER LONG.
708-314-0291
CALL OR TEXT MOTHER DIVA
AD EXECUTIVE
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
