LARRY KING: Good evening. This is a very good job. It is a very good job because you meet so many people in diverse areas of life. It is especially good, when you have an hour with one of the great entertainers, one of the singularly most popular female performers ever -- Janet Jackson, here for the full hour.
We're going to start with an announcement -- her world tour. We're going to give you the full dates of her U.S. tour. Let's start in Washington on July 9.
How do you plan a tour like this?
JANET JACKSON: It's very difficult. It's a lot of hard work. A lot of hours, a lot of...
KING: Are you involved in a lot of it?
JACKSON: Oh, no in everybody bit of it from the costuming to the set design to the lighting, to the set list. Auditioning the band, auditioning the dancers, every part of it.
KING: Why?
JACKSON: Why? It's my show, that's why.
KING: But you could be a step removed.
JACKSON: I don't like to work like that. I like to be involved in each and every aspect of it, and not leave it up to someone else.
KING: Do you even get involved in what cities are chosen?
JACKSON: Yes. The only reason I'm laughing, which I won't tell you that story, but yes I actually do.
KING: You can.
JACKSON: No, no I don't think I should. But yes, I actually do. I go over the -- you know, I have to see it before. Have my approval.
KING: Any particular reason why it's opening in Washington?
JACKSON: Not a bad place to open, we've never done it before. This is only my third tour.
KING: And you close at Madison Square Garden?
JACKSON: Yes, October 11.
KING: And HBO is going to telecast that.
JACKSON: Yes, yes.
KING: Does that make you more nervous that they're doing it live?
JACKSON: I have never done something like that before. At this moment does it make me nervous? No. Ask me October 11, and it might be a different story.
KING: Choosing Janet material for a tour. Last time you toured was how long ago?
JACKSON: Three years ago was the last tour.
KING: Does it have to be all new?
JACKSON: No, we do the old stuff as well.
KING: What...
JACKSON: But it's difficult, only because having so many singles and trying to fit all those songs...
KING: You have 18 gold records, right?
JACKSON: Yes, I do.
KING: The most ever.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: You've got to do some part of all 18?
JACKSON: Well, no, that would be longer than a two-hour show to do that. That was my goal to try to do each and every single, so you get bits and pieces here doing melodies, and unfortunately some songs I have to leave out. I hate leaving them out because kids come backstage and say you didn't do this song, it's my favorite song. So unfortunately you can't do everything.
KING: How much new material? New songs?
JACKSON: Seven -- six or seven new songs.
KING: Doesn't -- isn't this one of the more taxing things a performer faces when they take on a tour like this?
JACKSON: Yes, I do in Rotterdam. April 16.
KING: What is it, six months like?
JACKSON: This whole tour? Oh, please. This is a short one. It's nine months. The last tour was two years.
KING: Will you work an average of how many nights a week?
JACKSON: Oh, God. Four to five, something like that. Yeah, four.
KING: When it ends do you go away for like a year?
JACKSON: We take breaks in between -- in between legs.
Like you do the European leg, then take maybe two weeks off, then you do the States. In between there we'll have four or five days here and there off. At the other end that take another two weeks off. Then we go to Australia or Japan.
KING: Do you use different musicians?
JACKSON: No.
KING: All the musicians travel with you, too?.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Wow. Isn't that costly for you?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Why do you prefer it? Cause I know many, many in the past who have toured use local musicians, bring the leader along of course, maybe the pianist, but the rest are the local guys.
JACKSON: Normally when you do this type of tour that's the way you do it. On top of that for myself I like things to feel like a family. When you're on tour for that long you get to know each other. You're living with each other day in, day out. You become a family. I like that atmosphere. I like people who are very good hearted people, so when I audition the band or the dancers, aside from them being great musicians that's what I look for more so than anything, because we have to live together. We have to get along.
KING: For a long time?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: How many in the traveling part altogether? When you think about it, the band, managers, agents, make-up people, dancers?
JACKSON: I don't know. I know last time we had -- I was crazy, and it was like a hundred or hundred and something. So it's going to be kind of close to that this time.
KING: Picking people, you like to pick the dancers? And you're a great dancer.
JACKSON: Thanks.
KING: Do you consider yourself a dancer who sings or a singer who dances?
JACKSON: No one has ever asked me that before.
KING: That's why I'm sitting here. Little joke, folks.
JACKSON: That's really hard. I guess I would -- I don't know. I'd have to think about that.
KING: Barbra Streisand considers herself an actress-director, who happens to sing.
JACKSON: I would really have to think about that, truly.
KING: Obviously you love them both.
JACKSON: A great deal, and I love acting as well, yeah.
KING: You've done a lot of that now. But when you're dancing that's what you love doing?
JACKSON: I love dancing. That's the first thing I truly remember doing is dancing before
KING: As a kid?
JACKSON: Yes, as a kid.
KING: With the whole Jackson group.
JACKSON: Yeah, then I was singing.
KING: What do you look for when you look at other dancers?
JACKSON: Like I said before, what's in the heart more so than anything, how clean -- they move. Because we can work on the other things.
KING: That's more important than the one, two, three, one, two?
JACKSON: To me, it is because we can work on that together and make it as close to perfect as possible. So it's about what's in the heart for myself.
KING: Janet Jackson is the guest for the full hour as we go to this break. Here's a toss from her new video album "Together Again." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "TOGETHER AGAIN")
JACKSON (singing): Sometimes when I look above and there are times when I feel he's mine. I'll never forget my baby. What I give just to hold you close, as on Earth, in Heaven we will be together, baby. Together again, my baby. Together, baby.
Everywhere I go, every smile I see, I know you are there smiling back at me. Dancing in moonlight, I know you are free, because I can see your star shining down on me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
General Colin Powell
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back on LARRY KING LIVE with Janet Jackson. You may notice I have this lovely American boyhood dream of all of us, the red wagon. On it says America's Promise. Janet Jackson is the guest and on the phone is General Colin Powell, the former chief of staff, who is very involved with this. What -- what's going on between the Janet Jackson part and your part and this -- concept?
GEN. COLIN POWELL: Well, hi Larry, and hi, Ms. Jackson, how are you today?
JACKSON: I'm good, thank you.
POWELL: Well, as you know, Larry, on the concert tour that Ms. Jackson's about to launch, she has very, very graciously and generously committed a part of the proceeds of the tour to the organization that I'm chairing, America's Promise, and those proceeds will go to our mentoring programs. Mentoring is one of the big objectives of America's Promise to make sure that every boy and girl in America has a responsible, loving, caring adult in his or her life, and I'm so very pleased Ms. Jackson would do this.
It really is very consistent with the spirit of generosity she has shown throughout her life. As you know, she contributes heavily to educational programs and AIDS research and drug abuse programs, and now she's becoming a partner to America's Promise. She's going to be one of our little red wagon people, helping a child pull a wagon through life.
KING: She's wearing a red wagon on the jacket, as you do. You were chairman of the joint chiefs. Is chairman of this as important in a sense.
POWELL: Yeah, I think it very much is. And to a certain extent it's the same work continued. For 35 years I worked with young people to train them and give them a sense of mission and purpose in their life, and I'm trying to do the same thing now with somewhat younger children, and we're trying to create partnerships with wonderful people such as Ms. Jackson who have been blessed by this country and are now willing to share part of that blessing with those less fortunate.
And in this case, Ms. Jackson is giving it to our mentoring programs in collaboration with HBO and Virgin Records and I really, really am deeply appreciative of that.
KING: Janet, how did that come about? Did they contact you, you contacted them or what?
JACKSON: Well, actually -- I actually contacted them.
KING: Really?
JACKSON: Yes. I think it's a wonderful program. I have always been into helping the kids, and what General Powell has done is just amazing. I mean...
KING: Were you surprised that she contacted you, Colin?
POWELL: We were surprised and delighted.
KING: You don't get a call from Janet Jackson every day.
POWELL: No, I usually hear from people like Larry King, but Janet Jackson, no.
KING: Keep it up.
(LAUGHTER)
POWELL: Well, remember, Larry, you also made a promise to me.
KING: I'm a volunteer. I'm ready for this. I think this is a great concept, but to have a major tour like this is going to sell out.
POWELL: We were delighted to hear from Ms. Jackson, and we hope that many more people in positions like her -- celebrities, stars, those who are role models in our country and who benefit from the country are so willing to give back to those in need. I'd just like to thank her again for it.
JACKSON: Well, thank you. I just want to tell you that I think it's just so wonderful what you've done, and just -- coming from your heart and reaching out and giving these kids the attention that they need and deserve, really.
KING: What -- the same question for Colin, I'll start with you, got you so interested in children per se. A rough childhood? Did you have a rough childhood?
JACKSON: Yeah.
KING: It could have been better?
JACKSON: I think like everyone else. Yeah, it could have been better. But I have always been into the children. I have always said that children are our future, and they've always interested me, and I have tried to do my part as much as I possibly could through the organizations that...
KING: Who came up with the red wagon idea?
POWELL: Some fellows on my staff were sight around saying we need a logo for America's Promise, and they said we need something that immediately identifies with childhood, something like a little red wagon. Bingo -- that was it. A little red wagon. Every child has one -- little red wagon.
KING: Or wants one.
POWELL: Wants one. But it's something you can pull around: A treasured toy, big brother or sister, a dream, the heavy load of life -- it makes the load easier. And it comes with a long black handle so an adult can reach down and help the child pull that wagon through life.
KING: That's a great idea. Now Colin, what about 2000?
POWELL: If you're talking politics, Larry, I'm spending all my time and energy on America's Promise, and I have no political inclinations at all.
KING: You are not running?
POWELL: No, sir.
KING: OK, we'll ask you again next time.
POWELL: OK, Larry.
KING: Always great. Thanks, Colin.
POWELL: Thank you, Ms. Jackson.
JACKSON: Thank you.
KING: Janet Jackson is our guest. She's with us for the rest of the hour. That was Colin Powell, and this is the theme of America's Promise. Everybody wants a little red wagon, with a big handle. We'll come back. Here's another clip from "Together Again," and then we'll be back with the wonderful Janet Jackson. Don't go away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "GOT TILL IT'S GONE")
JACKSON (singing): Make you fall in love with me again. So would you give me another chance to love, to love you in the right way again.
Gone till it's gone. Gone till it's gone. Gone till it's gone. Gone till it's gone.
Q-TIP: Joni Mitchell never lies.
JACKSON: Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone.
But you don't know what you've got until it's gone. But you don't know what you got until it's gone. You don't know what you've got until it's gone.
Q-TIP: Let me just hit it for a minute.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with Janet Jackson. Starting a world tour next month, and heading into United States. It will begin in Washington on July 9. I'm sure you'll get all the details as to the city nearest you. You can see this great performer and entire troupe, which equals the cast of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus on tour. Also, I have said that the clips we've been showing you is from "Together Again." "Together Again" is one of the songs?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: The clips are from the album, "The Velvet Rope."
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: What does that mean?
JACKSON: "The Velvet Rope?" It's -- takes a long time to explain the entire thing.
KING: The maitre d' unhooks it when you go into to sit...
JACKSON: Well, that's part of it. I mean, I've seen a lot of velvet ropes in my life, but it's the need I feel we all have to feel special. This need brings out -- it can bring out two sides in us: The good or the bad. And it -- doesn't allow people to get to know who we are. It separates us. It even separates us from ourselves. It doesn't allow us to get to know ourselves. And so it's just me undoing my velvet rope and letting the world into -- to get to know who I really am.
KING: Let's learn about Janet Jackson. Part of a major show business family in America, right? You were a group -- you were entertaining when you were a kid, weren't you?
JACKSON: Yes, when I was seven years old I started.
KING: What are the pluses of that?
JACKSON: Of starting so young?
KING: Yeah, there have to be some pluses. You were veteran trained at an early year, right?
JACKSON: This is my 25th year in show business, actually.
KING: And you're a kid.
JACKSON: Yes -- oh, I'm still a kid, you're saying? I'm going yes.
KING: You're a young person with a lot of years.
JACKSON: I'm 31, yes.
KING: You're 31, with 26 years experience...
JACKSON: Twenty-five.
KING: That's unbelievable. So that's a plus.
JACKSON: Yes. You lose that on your childhood. That would be one of the...
KING: Your traveling and your tutored.
JACKSON: Yeah, yeah. You don't get to do the things that normal kids do. You don't get to join the Brownies, or to be on the gymnastics team, or be on the soccer team or -- little league.
KING: Did you ever think back then, or as you went into your teens, that the Jacksons would be how big as they became?
JACKSON: My brothers?
KING: Yeah.
JACKSON: I never thought about it like that.
KING: Did you think Michael was going to be a super, superstar? Of course, it's hard when you know him as just a brother.
(LAUGHTER)
JACKSON: I never thought -- about it. I remember him playing me his "Thriller" album in his car when he had completed it, and I thought it was the most incredible thing I'd ever heard. But I never thought, God, this is going to take him over the top and he's going to be the biggest star in the world. I didn't think of it like that. He was still my brother for me. Wait, I got something for you, a present. I'm just totally interrupting this.
KING: It's all right, it's your show, Janet. Is it gloves? Whoa.
JACKSON: They're suspenders.
KING: Beautiful braces.
JACKSON: But it's got the little piercings where...
(LAUGHTER)
KING: Look at this.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: Thank you. That is really thoughtful. I guess that's for saving your life in Europe, huh?
JACKSON: Yes, thank you.
KING: Whenever you're in Europe, you watch us. I thank you for this. Now what -- these are...
JACKSON: Those are nipple piercings, so you have to wear these.
KING: Wait a minute. Do you want me to pierce? I'm a Jewish guy, Janet. We don't do that, that's pain. There's pain involved in that.
(LAUGHTER)
JACKSON: You don't have to...
KING: OK, well what...
JACKSON: ... just put them on, and they'll hang right where they're supposed to. There you go.
KING: Oh, like they...
JACKSON: Yes, but you got to pull this side up.
KING: Pull this one up.
JACKSON: No, no, no.
KING: Pull this side up.
JACKSON: You have to pull the whole thing back.
KING: Janet, you're changing my life here tonight. I'm going to fall in love with -- oh, I see.
JACKSON: There you go.
KING: Oh.
JACKSON: Hangs right over your boobies.
KING: Janet -- Janet, this is lovely. I have never had anyone do anything like this for me. Sharon Stone gave me suspenders, but conventional suspenders, not anything for...
JACKSON: Well, those are from my side of the world.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: Thank you. That's really very nice. Thank you.
JACKSON: Your welcome.
KING: All right...
JACKSON: But you have to wear those. You have to promise me you're going to wear them.
KING: I'll tell you when I wear them -- tomorrow night on the show.
JACKSON: OK, great. I'll be watching.
KING: Tomorrow night on this show with the -- what do you call them?
JACKSON: They're nipple piercings.
KING: You wouldn't full with that, would you?
JACKSON: Oh, I have one.
KING: Would you have your things peirced?
JACKSON: Yes, I have a couple piercings. And I've had a few piercings and got rid some and kept -- I have one of those.
KING: Your brother. Let's spend a little time on your brother.
JACKSON: Let's not.
KING: No.
JACKSON: No, I'm serious.
KING: What is it like -- no, it's none of my business. But just as a general question and we'll leave it, OK?
JACKSON: I don't talk about my brother anymore, I really don't.
KING: Because you don't like him anymore?
JACKSON: Of course, I love my brother. What would make you say that? I love my brother.
KING: You said it like "I don't talk about my brother."
JACKSON: No, I don't. I don't like answering questions for him. I really don't like talking about him.
KING: Were you mad at your sister for talking about him?
JACKSON: My sister -- talking about my brother in an indirect way of getting me...
KING: You're a pretty sharp little kid, aren't you. You got to take advantage, huh? You know -- no, where you could be -- without saying...
JACKSON: OK, I'll tell you this and I'll answer that question.
KING: Tell me whatever you want to tell me and then we'll move.
JACKSON: You asked me, was I mad at my sister? Yes, I was very upset. I was very hurt, because there were a lot of lies that were told. And I hadn't seen my sister for a very long time, but we've spoken recently.
KING: Do you know why she would do that?
JACKSON: Yes, I do know why now and she was in a lot of pain, physically. Being abused, as well as a lot of mental. And here I am talking about my sister now, but I think that's her story to tell when she's ready to tell it.
KING: What you can help the most is your father.
JACKSON: Help my father?
KING: Was this an abusive family?
JACKSON: Oh, no.
KING: 'Cause you said you had it tough growing up?
JACKSON: Yes, but I -- should speak for myself. I don't like to speak for anyone else in my family about it.
KING: Were you ever abused?
JACKSON: No.
KING: Did you ever see abuse?
JACKSON: No.
KING: So this had to shock when you Latoya said these things?
JACKSON: Yes, it was very surprising for me.
KING: But now you understand?
JACKSON: But now I -- guess you have to put yourself in a situation, would I have done it -- done that, or would I not have? I think I probably would not have done it, and just would have gotten my butt kicked until -- I mean, I hate to say that, but that's just me. But I -- you know, everyone is different, and she's totally apologized for everything that she -- she's done. And she's with the family again, and that's the most important thing. And family is very important to me.
KING: How's the baby, Michael's baby?
JACKSON: Which one -- I'm sorry. I said which one, because I have 23 nieces and nephews.
KING: Michael's one -- there's so much interest. Have you seen the baby?
JACKSON: Yes, I have.
KING: Nice baby?
JACKSON: Wonderful baby. Prince is wonderful.
KING: You're his aunt.
JACKSON: Yes, I know.
KING: You're an aunt.
JACKSON: Twenty-three times.
KING: Was there a time when it was difficult for you to leave the Jacksons?
JACKSON: It was hard for me. When I did leave I was 10 years old, and...
KING: That's an early age for decision making.
JACKSON: Yeah, it is. It truly is. I did "Good Times," the sitcom. And I missed my family.
KING: You were great on it.
JACKSON: Thank you. I Missed them terribly, I really did. But the cast -- they were like my second family. But I really did miss being with my brothers.
KING: That was a great cast, that "Good Times" cast. You had fun doing that?
JACKSON: A had a lot of fun.
KING: So now you're acting. You obviously could dance and sing. At this point in your career are you make the decisions. I want to be a solo act, I want to be something, or are you too young.
JACKSON: I'd like to study acting more, just really, really study the art and get into that. I'll never stop singing. That's just a passion.
KING: And you knew that while you were doing "Good Times," where you didn't sing?
JACKSON: Well, in the very, very beginning I really wanted to be an actress. I wasn't into singing, but I more so than anything did it for my father, the act -- the singing.
KING: He wanted you to sing?
JACKSON: Yes, and I did that for my father. And at some point, it just became a serious passion.
KING: No regrets over that?
JACKSON: No.
KING: As we go to break here's a scene with our star Janet Jackson in that show she was talking about from age 10. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "GOOD TIMES" COURTESY COLUMBIA TRISTAR TELEVISION)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE #1: I look forward to whatever you call that. I'll be back in Chi-town tomorrow, don't you know? What about you and me getting together, get back?
JACKSON: Ask him if he's got a friend.
JA'NET DUBOIS, ACTRESS: Girl, you almost scared me.
(LAUGHTER)
You finished your home work?
JACKSON: Yeah, keep talking to him.
DUBOIS: Bublin' Brown Sugar for the Mad Trucker, over.
MALE #1: Yeah, that's a big 10, roger. I thought you backed out without signing off, get back?
DUBOIS: Well you see, a friend of mine just came.
MALE #1: What's her handle, come on.
DUBOIS: The handle? The lady in red.
(LAUGHTER)
MALE #1: Oh, 410 on the lady in red. Hey ladies, I've got me a friend. What about the four of us getting together and do what comes naturally, get back?
DUBOIS: How hold is your friend.
MALE #1: Twenty-nine. How about your friend, come on?
DUBOIS: I'll let her tell you herself.
MALE #1: Hey there lady in red, how old are you, sweet thing, come on?
JACKSON: I'll be 10 my next birthday, but I'm very mature for my age, baby.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with Janet Jackson. Earlier Colin Powell with us by phone. "Together Again" I mentioned that a few time, that was your last super hit, right?
JACKSON: Yes. That was number one for two weeks.
KING: Special song to you?
JACKSON: Very special song. I wrote that song for my friends who have passed away from AIDS. And I have had one too many. And I wanted the song to be rejoiceful, to reflect their personalities, their character, not to be a somber song. And it speaks about, seem them again, in another life, going to another life after you leave.
KING: Do you believe you will?
JACKSON: Yes, I do.
KING: You are, then, -- you believe in God in another life and...
JACKSON: Oh yes.
KING: And an eternity with others. How many friends have you lost?
JACKSON: God, I have lost six friends and I just found out just recently another friend of mine is ill.
So it's...
KING: You impress me as the kind that would have visited then, talked to them.
JACKSON: It was a very difficult thing for me, very tough time. I -- you're trying to, you know, keep yourself up, keep a smile in your face, and it made it so hard, and yet, you see someone who is deteriorating, it's really sad.
KING: Because your role is to pep them up right?
JACKSON: Exactly, it's like just turning the corner and bawling your eyes out after you leave the room.
KING: Lot of people are under the impression that with so many new drugs discovered people aren't dying now of AIDS.
JACKSON: Oh, really? Well, I hope they do something soon. I know they're trying and hopefully, we'll get it right soon.
KING: So that song was written with that in mind specifically? Do you write all your own material?
JACKSON: Yes. I write with Jimmy Jam, Rene Elizondo Jr.
KING: Why do so many artists do that now...
JACKSON: Do what?
KING: ... whereas so many years ago the Sinatra, Vic Demoan (ph), Peggy Mathis -- heyday -- Peggy Lee...
JACKSON: They had other people write their stuff for them?
KING: Always.
JACKSON: For myself, I sing about what's going on in my own life. It's important to me. I have to be able to connect to it in some sort of way.
KING: Might you write a song about Michael?
JACKSON: Why don't I? You know, it's funny that you mention that because there was an article in this magazine that I did the cover for in -- the journalist assumed that this song on "The Velvet Rope," You, was written about my brother so I say look in the mirror my friend, no lies will be told then pointing the finger again, you can't blame nobody but you but the song...
KING: Wasn't about him?
JACKSON: No, it was about myself. And that's the complete antithesis of "The Velvet Rope."
KING: I didn't forget the question. And we'll get to it right after this with Janet Jackson.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP, "TOGETHER AGAIN")
JACKSON (singing): Together again, my baby. Everywhere I go, every smile I see.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: False spot, right, just remove the little cloth from my old suspenders which tomorrow night I'll wear my new ones.
JACKSON: OK, great. But it wasn't -- that was like a makeup sponge. That is what that was.
KING: The nipple thing, you have that?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: You actually pierced your nipples?
JACKSON: One, my right one. Right. Why? I could tell that was coming.
KING: Why? Why?
JACKSON: For different reasons. One is a sexual -- more sexual reason. You get a sensation throughout the day at any given point of the day.
KING: You mean you're turned on all the time is what you're say, right, is that what it does to you?
JACKSON: Most of the day, yes.
KING: Because we're going to have a landslide sale of these things. Starting tomorrow morning there will be a run on this. What was the second reason?
JACKSON: The other reason, I think people do different things for different reasons in what you may be going through in your life at the time. Whether people want to get tattoos, piercings, whatever, how they'd like to deal with certain things that are going on in their life. That was one of the ways I...
KING: It was none of my business but what was going on in your life that said, boy, you know what I ought to do? Put a hole in the nipple and put a thing through it.
JACKSON: Oh, God, I learned a lot about myself recently. And I am still learning.
KING: This is recent?
JACKSON: Yes. And I dealt with, you know, painful things that had happened in my life. And it's like, they resurfaced, and I was the kind of person that always suppressed them in some sort of way, so that I wouldn't have to deal with them, finding escapisms.
KING: So this was a vehicle, in a sense?
JACKSON: Well, the piercings? Well, I wound up dealing with them, finally, and during the making of this album that was the hardest thing for me to do was to write this album. And as I am writing like I say, that's what I was writing about -- what's going on in my life and that's what I was writing about, but it's as if this was the epicenter at that point. And one of the ways I did escape from time to time was to...
KING: Take risks. Are you glad you did it?
JACKSON: Yes, I am very happy. I don't regret it at all.
KING: And no idea of removing it, let's say?
JACKSON: No, not at this point.
KING: Did the doctor who did it say that a lot of people do this?
JACKSON: It wasn't a doctor who did it, but -- so you think you go under anesthesia or something.
KING: It's pain. Are you kidding.
JACKSON: No, you don't. You can.
KING: Well, I would. Are you out of your mind, that you just let them hurt you.
JACKSON: It didn't hurt that much. Well, they say the most painful is the septum and the nipple.
KING: OK.
JACKSON: And I have my septum pierced, yes, but I have a retainer they call it. It's looks like a staple before you staple it. It has the U shape. So that's in my nose right now, so I have it -- the retainer, and as opposed to the ring so you can't see it.
KING: You're a strange person. You have little quirks, wouldn't you say that? People who know you say Janet is a little quirky.
JACKSON: No, no one's ever said that.
KING: You have things in your nose and no one has ever said you're quirky?
JACKSON: No. You're the first.
KING: I am proud to be the first and quirky is a complement because people don't know what to expect from people who are quirky.
JACKSON: I am glad it's a complement. So you're going to wear your suspenders.
KING: Tomorrow night.
JACKSON: You aren't going to pierce your nipples. I knew that about you.
KING: You had that hunch?
JACKSON: The best I can do.
KING: Would you ever write a song about Michael or any of your brothers?
JACKSON: Would I?
KING: They're part of your life.
JACKSON: Yes, they are part of my life. But I don't know. Maybe. Maybe someday I will. I never have.
KING: Do you want to be a mother?
JACKSON: Do I want to be? I love children. I don't know if I will be though.
KING: You have a great boyfriend.
JACKSON: Yes, I know.
KING: He's a super guy.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Great meeting him. Does he not want you to...
JACKSON: Are you kidding?
KING: He wants?
JACKSON: Right now -- well for one, what I do -- I would take the child with me if I did. But the only reason why I am a little hesitant is because it solely has to do with me. I don't know if I would make a good enough parent and that kind of scares me.
KING: That's interesting. What -- do you question about where you would be...
JACKSON: A lot of people have told me just me being that concerned with it already makes me -- would make me a great parent.
KING: Obviously. You would be the doting parent, right? The kid would go in the basket, everywhere you go you would bring them on stage for fear the...
JACKSON: I thought you said a dodo parent -- a doding parent. Yes, yes.
KING: And they could only breast feed, left breast. Can't put the thing in his nose.
JACKSON: Well, it wasn't go in his nose. It would go in its mouth.
KING: OK. Do you -- but a part of you, you're a lover of children and niece and nephews.
JACKSON: I don't know if I would breast-feed. There's something about breast-feeding that just does something to me. I don't mind --
(LAUGHTER)
KING: Would you mind being pregnant?
JACKSON: What?
KING: You wouldn't mind being pregnant and gaining weight and...
JACKSON: No, I don't mind that. It's truly a -- not knowing if I would make a good enough parent, really, that's a fear that I have. And I have got to get over that in order for me to have children. And that's the only thing that's truly stopping me.
KING: Maybe I can help you, my dear.
JACKSON: OK.
KING: What is the fear? The fear of -- what? What would happen if you had a child here right now, a little child, two weeks old, your baby.
JACKSON: What would happen?
KING: Waldo, OK.
JACKSON: Waldo. Why that name?
KING: I love that name. It's different. It's what I would name him.
JACKSON: That's kind of...
KING: OK, let's say Zeek.
JACKSON: That's kind of -- Zeek.
KING: What name would you name him?
JACKSON: Who says it would be a boy?
KING: If it were a boy, just pretending.
JACKSON: I like Elijah.
KING: Ah. Little Elijah the prophet. Little Elijah is here.
JACKSON: If it were a girl, Elisiah (ph).
KING: Elasiah. What's the worry for either one?
JACKSON: I have friends that are in this business, and I have seen them just totally give their children to the nanny. The baby cries, run straight for the nanny, not for the parent. They thought it would be so wonderful to have a child, and this and that, and certainly it being overbearing, just too much for them, it's too much for them. I feel as if they've passed it on to someone else. It's like OK, I experienced it, I did it. I don't know. I have heard things where women go through this postpartum and...
KING: Depression.
JACKSON: Yes, and I am so fearful that that would happen with me.
KING: And the pluses are -- you love kids.
JACKSON: Yes, very much so.
KING: And there's a side of you what has to say, I would like to raise a child, or -- I don't want to put words in your mouth. Maybe...
JACKSON: It's a tough job, but love to have children -- I would like to have a child. I am just afraid of not being a good enough parent.
KING: And Mr. Elizondo, he wants a child?
JACKSON: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
Yes, Rene does.
KING: Speaking of him, here's a clip with Janet Jackson that Mr. Elizondo -- the hopeful soon-father -- directed. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, YOU AGAIN)
JACKSON (singing): Making love to you, it felt so good and oh so right. How can I be strong? I have asked myself time and time I've said, that I'll never fall in love with you again.
So here we are alone again. Didn't think it'd come to this. And to know it all began with just a little kiss. I've come to close to happiness to have it swept it away. Don't think I can take the pain. Never fall again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Larry King
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with the wonderful Janet Jackson. She starts her world tour next month in Amsterdam -- Rotterdam. Most hip people would go to Amsterdam, hokie people go to Rotterdam.
She starts her United States tour, as a part of this grand tour in July, in Washington D.C. -- at the MCI Center I would imagine.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: You don't work small houses anymore. Ever do small rooms?
JACKSON: No, I never have -- I never...
KING: Never did? Never worked lounges?
JACKSON: No. The -- since my first tour, I was at the Madison Square Garden and the Forum.
KING: So you started big and got bigger?
JACKSON: You're embarrassing me now.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: No. What was it like to be well-known young?
JACKSON: What was it like?
KING: Kids envy you?
JACKSON: It was kind of cool, having people recognize you, you know, wherever you went. And to know who you are, and they felt as if you were their child or their brother, their sister. And it was fun.
KING: Some people have said, though, too much too soon can have a later affect?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: You know -- ego wise.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: And dealing with life as it comes.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Have you handled that well?
JACKSON: I feel that I have. I have incredible people around me such as Rene to help me stay grounded. And I think that's very important. My friends, my close friends have been friends that I have had for years, so it's -- they help me.
KING: How did you meet Rene?
JACKSON: How? He actually came over at my parents' house. A friend of mine was -- a good -- his -- her brother was Rene's good friend.
KING: So he came to the house just as a visit?
JACKSON: Yeah. But that's not the story that I found out she told him. She told him that I was really interested in meeting him and I thought -- he was very attractive.
KING: Were you?
JACKSON: I thought he was attractive but not in that way. I was actually seeing someone at the time.
KING: Oi, life, it says that -- the long-last days of life -- General Hospital...
JACKSON: Just drama.
KING: Did you like him right away?
JACKSON: Yes, he was very nice, very nice, and I grew to love him.
KING: How about marriage?
JACKSON: Ask Rene.
KING: Rene?
JACKSON: Look at me, I am putting it on...
KING: Do you want to get married?
RENE ELIZONDO: Would I like to? Yes.
KING: Yeah, he wants to get married.
OK, what do you say?
ELIZONDO: I'm not proposing.
KING: He's not proposing -- I'm just asking as a conjecture.
He'd like to. Want to?
JACKSON: You sure put people on the spot, don't you?
KING: I want Elijah around here.
JACKSON: Sure -- someday. Sure.
KING: What if Rene, tonight, says to you "Hey... come on lets get married?"
JACKSON: At this moment?
KING: Yeah, yeah, yeah, right after the tour is over.
JACKSON: I got to think about it.
KING: Because you would worry about it. You're a worrier.
JACKSON: How do you know that?
KING: How do I know that? You're worried about this. You perform before millions of people...
JACKSON: I didn't worry about getting my nipple pierced.
KING: See, that's why you're quirky. That would be my number one worry of all time. That is not a worry to you.
JACKSON: No.
KING: You think you would like to get married, you might want to have...
JACKSON: I am sure someday -- well, we like it the way it is. Spiritually, I feel that we are married. And he feels the same way.
KING: Oh. That's the same thing then.
JACKSON: You know, you hear these stories about -- I don't know, it's like putting negative energy into the universe, if I don't sound too silly, but wondering how long it's going to last.
KING: Can friends turn you off to things just by suggesting it?
Because it seems that way.
JACKSON: Like what you have just done?
KING: No, no. Can someone come up to you...
JACKSON: Not saying that you just did that.
KING: Can someone say to you I don't like carrot cake and you within a week don't like carrot cake?
JACKSON: No that's not me.
KING: You're not easily influenced because you worry about a lot of things and people that do can be easily influenced.
JACKSON: No, I am not that easily influenced.
KING: Back with more of Janet Jackson -- here's more to watch. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON (singing): Other guys have tried before to replace your love, baby. I never did -- I didn't have a doubt. But it's you I can't do without. I feel better when I have you near me, because no one has ever been the same.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We have a short time remaining, and we have a television first for you. They have never appeared together on television. There he is, Rene Elizondo, the director who appears with his...
JACKSON: Photographer's son.
KING: Is she your fiancee?
ELIZONDO: No we're just -- we're sort of best friends. We are best friends. We have been best friends for 17 years.
KING: Are you lovers?
ELIZONDO: Yeah, we do some of that.
KING: With or without the little round thing.
JACKSON: No, with.
KING: With the little round thing, OK.
ELIZONDO: Like a little hand grenade.
KING: Are you spiritually married?
ELIZONDO: Yeah we're definitely connected on every level. It's really awesome. She's my best friend. We work together. We collaborate rate. We write songs together. I get a chance to photograph her. I get a chance to direct her. She directs me off camera.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: You want to be a father?
ELIZONDO: Do you know what, I have always said yes, it's something I would like to do. But given what we have learned in the past, we thank god we don't have any kids because...
JACKSON: At this moment.
ELIZONDO: At this moment because we would have already passed on a lot of...
JACKSON: Patterns that we don't...
ELIZONDO: Negative -- you know, bad sort of...
JACKSON: It's like breaking the mold kind of.
ELIZONDO: Yeah, yeah, we have sort of gone and figured out -- with help of some friends, wise friends, you know, there are so many things that end up happening that -- that get passed on from our parents that even, God bless them, you know, they really did the best they could.
JACKSON: It happens with everyone.
ELIZONDO: But we would have already, I think, passed on some characteristics.
KING: You have given it a lot of thought.
ELIZONDO: Yeah definitely.
JACKSON: Yeah.
KING: When things are written in the tabloids and you're a favorite -- a lot of people are favorites of tabloids. You're one of the favorites. Does it bother you?
ELIZONDO: No. It -- not really. I remember Janet warned me when she -- when I first got together with Janet, it was -- I'd never experienced being in the public's eye, and she said, you know, people might say some silly thing, so don't let it bother you. And I remember the first time they said something was, they said her brother Michael wasn't talking to her because she is dating a nobody cameraman. But I was -- excited because I was an assistant cameraman at the time. So I said hey they bumped me up to cameraman. That's cool.
KING: You handle it well when things do appear.
ELIZONDO: Yeah, I think when they say something negative about her, it hurts me just because I know how sensitive Janet is.
KING: We'll be back with with our remaining moments in this television first. Don't go away. Watch what's next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON (singing): Candles, I like to watch us, baby. Baby, I have like...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: I have never asked a question like this. OK? But I got to -- someone said to me today, you going to see Janet Jackson today? I says yeah. "You got to ask her about coffee enema." Now I have no idea what that means. I am trying to fathom it and I have no idea what it means, but since so many people said you have got to ask her.
JACKSON: You pour hot coffee in your butt. No I am just joking. What is it and why?
KING: Yeah.
JACKSON: It was -- God, it was in article that I did. But I was just talking to a journalist. You know, we talk about cleansing...
ELIZONDO: She tried it one time was the funny thing.
KING: You tried it one time?
JACKSON: Yes.
ELIZONDO: I didn't know even know she'd tried it but they made it like a big headline. Janet Jackson, coffee enema.
JACKSON: To clean the bad cells is how they put it as if to get rid of bad cells you use this coffee enema. In my family the way we grew up we have always been into fasting and doing things of that nature, taking care of both...
ELIZONDO: There was an upside of the whole thing. We got Folger's Coffee to sponsor the tour.
JACKSON: I knew he was going to say -- no.
KING: But it works health wise?
JACKSON: Yes, it's to clean the liver. It's like the toxins in the body. That's the only reason to do that.
KING: Were you shocked they made that a big deal in the story?
JACKSON: Yeah, I really was.
ELIZONDO: We couldn't understand why.
JACKSON: Yeah because it's a really quirky...
KING: Wouldn't you say she is quirky?
ELIZONDO: I would -- you know when people say she is quirky say look there are different things people do. Some people drink alcohol. Some people do drugs. I thank God that she is level-headed, a very sensitive, very caring person. And if she wants to, for the moment, pierce her nose, fine. It doesn't bother me if it makes her happy.
KING: Do you have an easy time being directed by him?
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Photographed by him.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: Do you trust him?
JACKSON: Yes totally.
KING: What about her as a subject to work with.
ELIZONDO: It's like to...
JACKSON: Pain in the ass.
ELIZONDO: No. Honestly it's like doing it in my dream, I mean, in my sleep to work with Janet. I know everything she's gone through so if there's an emotion that I would like to see her, I just remind her of some things that have happened.
JACKSON: Yes.
KING: We're running short on time. How do you explain your international success since in many places you appear they don't know what you're saying?
JACKSON: How do I explain it? I think -- music is the one thing we all have in common regardless of the language, different languages.
KING: Ever feel funny when you're in a house and no one speaks your language, like in Japan.
JACKSON: No because I feel that energy. I mean they're screaming and going crazy and I am thankful for that to have that. I feel that energy, that love coming from them so -- and you know what, they do know the words. They may not know exactly what I am saying but they're singing along.
KING: Are you there when she tours?
ELIZONDO: Yeah.
KING: You're there for every show?
ELIZONDO: Every show.
KING: Are you nervous for her, anxious?
ELIZONDO: You know, it's interesting, I get more nervous than she does. I just hope that she's safe on stage, nothing goes wrong.
KING: No falls.
JACKSON: I have done that.
ELIZONDO: But honestly, if it were not for the fans, I have seen Janet where she is literally just about asleep before the show because she is so tired.
JACKSON: Tired.
ELIZONDO: Lights go off. The fans erupt and that gives me an energy. We actually go through a deep depression afterwards don't we, not deep -- but we hit a real...
JACKSON: Quirky.
ELIZONDO: Thank you.
KING: Thank you.
JACKSON: Thank you for having me.
KING: You never thought you would be the normal one in the relationship?
JACKSON: Well, I am the Jackson, so he must be the normal one.
KING: Thanks for the braces and I'll wear them tomorrow.
JACKSON: The what?
KING: The braces, you forgot already.
JACKSON: You call them braces, is that what you call them?
KING: All right suspenders.
Say good night, Janet.
JACKSON: Good night -- Janet.
KING: Good night, folks. See you tomorrow night. We'll talk about spin cycling. We may use these two as an example. Don't go away. Thanks for joining us. Good night.
