Major Glastonbury draw Janet Jackson reveals she could've been a lawyer

Janet Jackson participates in the 44th annual Harlem Week in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 18, 2018.  REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Janet Jackson participates in the 44th annual Harlem Week in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 18, 2018.

As Janet Jackson gears up to play at Glastonbury, she reveals that she wanted to study law - but her father had a different path in mind for her.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Janet said: “We had a studio at my parents’ house, and we’d go in there any time of day or night and put tracks down.

“I had written this song — I’d played all the parts and sang the backgrounds — and I came home from school one day and they were playing it loudly.

Read more: Janet Jackson says ‘Michael's legacy will continue’

Singer Janet Jackson (L) and her brother Michael Jackson accept an award for "Best Dance Video" at the MTV Video Music Awards, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, September 7
Singer Janet Jackson (L) and her brother Michael Jackson accept an award for "Best Dance Video" for their duet "Scream" at the MTV Video Music Awards, 1995

“I was 13 years old and I was just so embarrassed. That’s when my father said to me, ‘You’re going to sing.’

“I told him I wanted to go to school and study business law.

“I really wanted to make my way by acting. That was how I was going to pay for my schooling.

“He felt that God had a different path for me.”

Read more: Janet Jackson ribbed mercilessly by fans after bumping herself up to Glastonbury headliner

Singer Janet Jackson and father Joe Jackson attend the "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" Universal City Premiere on July 24, 2000 at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Janet and father Joe Jackson in 2000

It has been a year since her father Joe Jackson’s death. She said of his influence: “When parents see something in their children, I guess they guide them in that direction.

“Especially when you’re talking about children who grew up in that urban area. Music was a way to keep us off the streets.

My father saw a way out for his children. A better life. And thank God for that.”

Janet first performed in Vegas at the age of seven, as she told The Sunday Times: “Two shows a day in two-week stints.

“It was gruelling and fun at the same time, being so young on stage with my family.”

By her 20th birthday, she’d had three albums out and was already a staple in the tabloids.

The wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl where her breast was briefly exposed, was a career low point.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 7:  Singer Michael Jackson (R) hugs sister Janet after they won the award for Best Dance Video for their video "Scream"  07 September at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The Jackson's video "Scream" was nominated for 11 awards.  AFP PHOTO  (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Singer Michael Jackson (R) hugs sister Janet after they won the award for "Best Dance Video" for their duet "Scream," which was nominated for 11 awards at the MTV Music Awards 1995

In 1995, she sang with her brother Michael on Scream, a song that summed up their attitude to tabloid speculation.

On her superstar brother’s legacy, she said: “It will continue. I love it when I see kids emulating him, when adults still listen to his music.

“It just lets you know the impact that my family has had on the world. I hope I’m not sounding arrogant in any way — I’m just stating what is.

“It’s really all God’s doing, and I’m just thankful for that.”