14 DAY TRIAL // Another season of American Idol has come to an end but, unlike previous seasons, what this finale had special was the fact that it would be Simon Cowell’s last. Several artists performed on the show as a farewell to the judge the entire US loved to hate, including Janet Jackson, who brought a new song, “Nothing,” and the classic “Nasty,” as MTV can confirm.
Other performers included the original American Idol Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Alanis Morissette and Christina Aguilera. With such tight competition, Janet (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty) still managed to rock American Idol, performing first her new love ballad “Nothing.” After a quick costume change, Janet re-appeared on the stage and sang “Nasty,” accompanied by a troupe of male dancers working it on a choreography by Paula Abdul herself.
“The former Idol hopefuls’ collective moment in the spotlight ended shortly as Jackson herself graced the stage for a moving rendition of her new song ‘Nothing,’ recorded for the soundtrack of Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?,’ which she also starred in. […] Jackson’s sweet song didn’t stay sweet for long. As she finished her version of ‘Nothing,’ the 44-year-old singer momentarily left the stage and was replaced by a host of male dancers wearing white shirts and black slacks. When she returned, Jackson’s dress was gone and replaced by a skintight black bodysuit, signaling the transition from the mournful beauty of ‘Nothing’ to the fast-paced nitty-gritty of ‘Nasty,’ Jackson’s second single from her third studio album, Control (1986),” MTV informs.
“A light show of green lasers shot through the Nokia Theatre as Jackson moved aggressively against her fellow dancers, all of whom finished the performance sans shirts. Although significantly more clothed than her stagemates, Jackson was clearly just as thrilled as the dancers as she warmly waved and blew kisses to both the audience and the judges’ table at the end of her performance,” the e-zine further says.
“Nothing” is Janet’s first single off her upcoming album, simply called “Janet,” MTV also says, coming to put to rest earlier rumors that she would no longer be making studio albums but only release singles every once in a while. These being said, below is Janet Jackson’s performance on the season finale of American Idol. Though of poor quality, do enjoy.