Happy Birthday, br Janet Jackson! Janet Damita Jo Jackson br was born on May 16, 1966, br and turns 54. She was born in Gary, Indiana. The singer began her career br on the television showsbr 'The Jacksons,' 'Good Times' br and 'Fame.' Jackson released her debut album, br 'Janet Jackson,' in 1982. The pop icon made her claim to fame with her later albums, ‘Control’ and ‘Rhythm Nation 1814.’ Jackson landed her first lead film role for br 'Poetic Justice' in 1993. The singer has her own record label, Rhythm Nation. She was selected as the inaugural MTV icon in 2001, received the Billboard Icon Award br in 2018 and was inducted into the br Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.