14 DAY TRIAL // Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga were the two stars asked to perform on last night’s episode of X Factor, the popular singing competition that has Simon Cowell as the main judge. Whereas Gaga stayed true to her reputation of eccentric performer, Janet surprised fans with a very energetic dance number to a medley of “All for You” and “Make Me,” as UnrealityTV can confirm.
Reports in the British media say that Janet asked to pre-record the performance behind a closed set, allowing only some members of the audience in. Not even contestants were given permission to see her, for reasons that have not yet been made clear. Nevertheless, sources close to the producers say that, given this is a star as big as Janet we’re talking about, she was well worth the special treatment.
Janet took to the stage in a military-inspired outfit and sneakers, and performed a medley of her popular track “All for You” and the latest single released, “Make Me.” The dancing was on cue and very lively, as she proved, one more time for those who still had doubts, that being such an accomplished performer was among the things that have earned her so many fans throughout the years. In other words, Janet and her troupe of dancers put on quite a performance, much to the delight of audiences.
“Tonight Janet did what she’s best at – big group dancing efforts as she (seemingly) mimed her way through some of her biggest solo hits. We thought that Jan was going to do a bit of a Michael tribute and are surprisingly glad that she sang her own material instead. She really is one talented lady and just like Lady GaGa, she put those X Factor semi-finalists to shame. After her performance, Janet strutted off the stage, missing an opportunity to offer cliched advice to the contestants about how to ‘believe in talent’ and ‘just be yourself’,” UnrealityTV says.
In fact, this was the one thing that got some people talking: the issue of whether Janet lip-synched or not. While skeptics are taking to the Internet to say that she couldn’t have possibly sang so well given the effort that went into the dance routine, others argue that X Factor only allows live singing. There is also the issue of the many years of touring and singing live that Janet has behind her, they say. Below is the Janet Jackson’s X Factor performance. Watch and judge for yourselves.