Janet Jackson honours late father at concert

Washington: “He was so strong,” said Grammy Award-winning pop singer Janet Jackson as she addressed her father Joe Jackson’s death.

While performing at Essence Festival in New Orleans, Jackson remembered her late father and gave an emotional speech.

“It was really hard for me,” said the 52-year-old. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to move forward, if I should cancel this festival or the entire tour.”

She then recalled a conversation with her brothers about their father and his strength.

“He was so strong, and without his drive, his strength … we wouldn’t have this success. We are a black family that came from Indiana and we broke all kinds of records around the globe. That’s truth,” said the music icon.

Joe, who was known to have paved the way for the success of son Michael Jackson and daughter Janet Jackson, along with Jackson 5, passed away at the age of 89 on June 27 following a battle with terminal cancer.

Father of 11 children, Joe became a controversial figure when stories about his abusive behaviour as a parent were reported by media.

—ANI