Janet Jackson Dazzles Crowd at Essence Festival

Janet Jackson enthralled the Essence Music Festival audience Friday, kept them on their feet for more than two hours and reminded fans why seeing her in concert was worth waiting two years.

Janet Jackson enthralled the Essence Music Festival audience Friday, kept them on their feet for more than two hours and reminded fans why seeing her in concert was worth waiting two years. From the opening notes of "The Pleasure Principle" to "Control" to "Rhythm Nation," the Grammy Award-winning singer enticed, teased and brought her fans on a journey through her No. 1 hits.Jackson marked her return by closing the festival's first night inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. It was her first time at the festival, which runs through Sunday. Fans got a glimpse of Jackson's new, sassy, short-cropped hair and her signature, shapely figure on the finale show of American Idol where she rocked classics like "Again" and "Nasty" and her latest release, "Nothing," from the soundtrack of the movie, "Why Did I Get Married Too?," which she also starred in. But near the end of her show Friday, they were treated with even more as she depicted a risque, S&M scene with a male participant from the audience, whose hands and arms were strapped into a straight jacket as Jackson - in a flesh-toned body suit - worked him over, whip in hand. Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., was as excited as fans to be able to hear Jackson sing some of her hits in person. She said festival organizers had extended invitations to perform numerous times over the course of the last 15 years and this year she finally accepted.

The festival is celebrating the magazine's 40th anniversary this year and Ebanks said they wanted to do so by putting the spotlight on strong, powerful female artists. In addition to Jackson, the lineup includes Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Monica, Keri Hilson, Chrisette Michele, Lalah Hathaway, Melanie Fiona, Estelle, Ledisi, Laura Izibor and New Orleans' own Irma Thomas. "It means a great deal for me to be in the company of such wonderful women, women who I have the pleasure of knowing personally," Jackson said. "I'm especially honored to be able to play on a stage that also hosts Gladys Knight. She watched me grow up and I remember her being around the Motown family when I was a kid. It's definitely an honor."

Jackson, once infamous for her wardrobe malfuntion, said she has wanted to come to the festival previously but a jam-packed schedule didn't allow it. Jackson also is preparing for another movie collaboration with actor-director Tyler Perry, starring in his upcoming film adaptation, "For Colored Girls." She plays the "Red" character in the film, which is based on Ntozake Shange's 1975 Tony Award-nominated play, "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf."I'm finally living my dream of acting," said Jackson, who's also starred in Perry's film, "Why Did I Get Married?". "Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for all that God has bestowed upon me as far as singing is concerned, but I never thought I would be a singer," she said. "My father wanted me to sing. I wanted to act. And, now, I'm finally living that dream."Still, Jackson said she has no plans to stop performing or making music but does see writing and developing scripts in her future. "I'm really drawn to the action stuff and I love sci-fi. That really drives me crazy," she said. The role of "author" also soon will be attached to her name. "True You," a book that chronicles Jackson's lifelong struggles with weight and self-esteem, is set for release this fall. "It's not an autobiography, but I tell anecdotes about my life from when I was a kid to now," she said. "Things happen that can affect a child for the rest of their life and I didn't want to just speak to adults about these issues, so the book reflects that."