‘Bible student’ Rebbie Jackson ‘did not like’ Janet Jackson’s sexy Rolling Stone cover
Janet Jackson posed topless on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1993 (Credit: Getty/Rolling Stone/ Illustration By EEW Magazine Online)
By Cora Davis // Controversy // EEW Magazine Online
In September 1993, Janet Jackson appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone for the second time. She had already released her album, Janet, a smashing success, that was full of provocative themes surrounding exploration of female pleasure and unbridled sexuality.
The RS cover displayed a full-length, sepia-tone portrait of the singer, snapped by Patrick Demarchelier, wearing nothing but loose curls, unfastened jeans and then-husband Rene Elizondo’s hands over her bare breasts.
That visual became part of pop lexicon and a clear declaration that the modest, naïve, timid, clean-cut image of Janet was gone and replaced by a new, liberated, hyper-sexual, in-control version.
From left, Rebbie Jackson and Janet Jackson attend the special screening of "Why Did I Get Married Too?" on March 22, 2010, in New York. (Getty)
"I did not like it," said Janet's 71-year-old sister, Rebbie Jackson, in the second half of Lifetime and A&E’s riveting four-part documentary, “Janet,” about the life of 55-year-old Janet Jackson tied to the 40th anniversary of the singer’s self-titled debut album.
The internal conflict arose because the Bible teaches modesty, purity, and virtuousness, and Janet’s family could not reconcile scriptural teachings with the edgy artist’s portrayal of a seductive temptress.
Credit: David Becker/Getty Images for Park MGM
"My mom really didn't like it,” continued Rebbie, revealing that the cover shoot was as controversial privately—if not more so—as it was publicly.
"I'm a Bible student, and I try to live in harmony with principles, and it's not being prudish or anything like that, it's just that, for me, that's private," Rebbie explained.
Though Janet’s actions were met with disapproval, the “Any Time, Any Place” crooner said that posing topless made her feel courageous despite knowing that it went against her family’s morals.
"I thought that was very bold of me to be quite honest," Janet said. "To unleash that within my family. With everybody else, it probably was no big issue, but I'm talking about my family 'cause that's not how we were brought up."
Despite sending shock waves rippling through her deeply religious family, Janet was pleased with her decision.
"I do what I do because it's something that I feel at that moment," she continued. "I mean, I was happy."
Though her parents and siblings have not always been comfortable with her choices, they espouse another biblical principle which is to love Janet unconditionally—however she elects to present herself publicly.