Paula Abdul Applauds Janet Jackson and the 'Beautiful Experience' of Being Part of “Control”, 40 Years Later
- - Paula Abdul Applauds Janet Jackson and the 'Beautiful Experience' of Being Part of “Control”, 40 Years Later
Angela AndaloroFebruary 6, 2026 at 12:12 AM
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Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul in 1986
Lester Cohen/Getty
Janet Jackson released her third studio album, Control, on Feb. 4, 1986
The album's theme was all about establishing the young adult singer as her own entity, separate from her famous family
The album, which began a monumental run for Jackson, sold over 12 million copies and was nominated for
One of Janet Jackson's most unforgettable albums is celebrating a special milestone.
The singer, 59, shared a compilation of scenes from her Control era as she celebrated the album turning 40 on Feb. 4. As the images play on screen, Jackson's voice reciting the monologue from the title track also plays.
“This is a story about control... my control. Control of what I say, control of what I do. And this time, I’m gonna do it my way," Jackson says.
"I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Are we ready? I am. ’Cause it’s all about control, and I’ve got lots of it.”
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"Happy 40th, Control! 😉🥳," she captioned the video, tagging producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Paula Abdul, who served as Jackson's choreographer through this era, also posted in celebration of Control's 40th anniversary, sharing she wanted to make she's "Giving @janetjackson her flowers 🌹."
"Celebrating 40 years of Control and an era that changed my life forever. Watching Janet fully step into her power and creative voice during this time was such a beautiful experience. So many incredible memories from working together," she wrote.
"Also want to give a huge shoutout to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis @officialjamandlewis for their brilliance on the album, and to all the amazing dancers who were part of this chapter. With love and gratitude ❣️."
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The Control era was all about establishing Jackson as a talent and presence separate from her siblings, taking over creative direction without her father Joe Jackson's oversight. In the process, the singer, just 19 at the time, established herself as an R&B and pop icon.
In a 1986 sit-down with PEOPLE, Janet talked about the change, talking about rising to professional expectations that come with being a Jackson while still doing her own thing.
"People expect me to be just as good, to perform just as well, for my material to be just as good ... But really we don’t compete. As long as one of us is at the top, that makes the rest of us happy," she said of her siblings.
Before moving on, she added, "And now, it’s my turn.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
