Janet Jackson entered the history books as the first black woman to receive the Icon Award at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Following an introduction from Bruno Mars and a career retrospective, Ms. Jackson took the stage for a dance-heavy medley of hits. As her mother Katherine and sister Rebbie looked on, the 52-year-old entertainer opened with “Nasty” on a lit-up platform in the middle of the arena.
Edges snatched courtesy of @JanetJackson! #BBMAs https://t.co/zVnrW1VW7W
— ESSENCE Festival (@essencefest) May 21, 2018
Following the show-stopping performance, she accepted the Icon Award and delivered a powerful speech. “For all our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history,” said Janet. “It’s a moment when, at long last, women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated, or abused. I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged by discrimination.
“My prayer is that weary of such noise, we turn back to the source of all calmness. That source is God. Everything we lack, God has in abundance. Compassion, sensitivity, patience, and a boundless love.”
Watch her speech in full below:
After rocking the stage with her incredible performance, @JanetJackson accepts the 2018 #BBMAs Icon Award! #ICON_JANET pic.twitter.com/S7nDbrGJQI
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018
