Imagine being sixteen years old and having millions of people watching your every move. In 1982, Janet Jackson walked onto a bright stage with a heavy silver hoop in her ear. Hanging from that hoop was a metal key that looked a bit out of place for a pop star.
People thought it was just a bold new style for a girl trying to find her own path. It turns out to be the secret to her daily life at home.
The truth is that Janet Jackson had a very big job to do before she ever put on her stage clothes. Her family lived on a large estate filled with exotic animals like giraffes, llamas, and sheep. Janet reveals why she wore that key on her ear and how it is related to these exotic animals.
Side Note: Experts say that the original key earring she wore that day was so special it sold for over forty thousand dollars at an auction years later.
Janet Jackson Had A Key To Their Animal Cage In Her Ear
Fans who look back at this moment feel a deep sense of warmth for the young star. One viewer mentioned that she was so beautiful it was almost frightening to look at her. Another person noted how natural she seemed before all the pressure of the world changed things.
While her first appearance was soft and sweet, she was learning how to stand on her own two feet. You can see the start of her journey in the way she speaks so quietly to the host. She was transitioning from being a child actress into a serious artist with her own voice.
Janet Jackson – Young Love (American Bandstand 1982)
In the full performance, she sings her hit song called Young Love with a gentle smile. Her dancing is light and fun. This is a big contrast to the sharp moves she became famous for later on.