Janet Jackson’s producer, Jimmy Jam (of the hit-making production duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) revealed in a recent interview with BBC, that Janet Jackson’s 1986 jam, “What Have You Done for me Lately” was actually written about an old School celeb’ back in the day. If you’re from the Old School you know this brotha very well. He is the one and only…[drumroll please!]…

James DeBarge of the 80’s R&B group, DeBarge, also known as Janet’s ex-husband! Janet was married to him at the time if “What Have You Done For Me Lately’s” production. Like we said earlier, Jimmy Jam let the cat out of the bag on this one. When he and Terry Lewis were working on Janet’s album, “Control,” this song was created to document the turmoil Janet’s and James’ marriage.

Here’s what Jimmy Jam said:
“The lyric came up because of a relationship Janet had gotten out of [her marriage to soul singer James DeBarge, which was annulled a year earlier]. The concept was basically, ‘he used to do nice things for you, but what has he done for you lately?'”

Who would’ve thunk it?!! Now that we know this, it all makes sense – Janet has repeatedly talked about the fact that she is an “emotional eater” who tends to eat a lot of junk food when she’s stressed about something going on in her life, resulting in weight gain (although she still looked great in my humble opinion).

 

 

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Not only did we see her experience a little weight gain during the era of her “Control” album, during which she had just gone through the divorce with James, we also saw this same weight pattern for her role on Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too, which was filmed shortly after the death of her big brother, Michael Jackson. In both instances, she did a phenomenal job using her craft and creating powerful performances.

These days – at 56 years young – Janet Jackson can be thick, slim, or curvy, and she is and will always be sexy as hell! Keep showing these youngins how it’s done Ms. Jackson.