Janet Jackson took Las Vegas by storm during the opening weekend of her Metamorphosis residency. The singer, who recently celebrated her 53rd birthday, cemented her Queen of Pop status over the course of a 40-song, 90-minute-long performance at the Park MGM’s Park Theater on Friday.
Amid applause from fans, the singer appeared on a descending logo at the beginning of the show.
From the moment she hit the stage, Jackson proved she didn't come to play, she came to slay! Joined by an inclusive group of 14 dancers, she showcased the tight, in-sync choreography for which she has been long celebrated.
Her birthday wasn't the only milestone the "Miss You Much" singer was celebrating during opening weekend. She revealed she'd made her debut at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas when she was 7 years old. Hitting the stage at the city's Park MGM property several decades later was a moment Jackson called "beautiful" and "full circle."
The singer paid homage to her brothers, the Jackson 5, with a medley of their hits and performed a segment honoring producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
One of the most surprising moments of the night came as the notoriously private singer addressed her motherhood journey. She appeared in a video, dressed as the African goddess Oshun, in which she said, "I am a mother; I love saying those words. To be blessed with this responsibility, the care and upbringing of another human being--I see this as my ultimate metamorphosis."
Jackson's moment of transparency concluded with a conversation of the singer talking and laughing with her 2-year-old son, Eissa Al Mana.
Delivering a top-notch opening performance, attended by stars including Johnny Gill, Eve and Queen Latifah, wasn't the only indication of Jackson's musical impact. Her influence on concertgoers was on full display: One fan sported a bedazzled "Rhythm Nation"-inspired ensemble, and another wore a T-shirt from Jackson’s 1993-1994 World Tour.
Jackson's Metamorphosis residency continues at the Park Theater.
May 2019: 21, 22, 25, 26
July 2019: 24, 26, 27, 31
August 2019: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17
See exclusive footage below.
