Pop superstar [CELEB name="JANET JACKSON" year=""][A href="vny!://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800082644&cf=gen" target=_new]JANET JACKSON[/A][/CELEB] just turned 40 and has an all-new album dropping this September called 20 Years Old -- and ET's [A class=slhtgreenbold href="vny!://et.tv.yahoo.com/about/bios/kfrazier/"][FONT color=#00c429]KEVIN FRAZIER[/FONT][/A] was on the set of the cover shoot, proving that 40 is definitely the new 20!
"I worked really hard, and I continue to work very hard," says Janet about her lean new look. "I have to give credit to my parents' genes I suppose, and just working with great people [that] make me look good, and nutrition and a great trainer."
Just six months ago, the svelte Janet was seen in published photos looking like she had packed on a few extra pounds, but the star explains that she gained weight specifically for a movie role.
"I put on the pounds for a film I was to do with [CELEB name="LEE DANIELS" year=""][A href="vny!://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1807755330&cf=gen" target=_new]LEE DANIELS[/A][/CELEB], the producer of 'Monster's Ball,' which a lot of people didn't know," Janet tells Kevin. "They wanted a full-figured woman. She's from the South, a waitress."
Janet says they had to push the project back, and she had to pass on the opportunity in order to work on her new album. She now thinks that [CELEB name="MARIAH CAREY" year=""][A href="vny!://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800019644&cf=gen" target=_new]MARIAH CAREY[/A][/CELEB] will take on the role. Of course, she had another assignment to take care of -- losing the weight!
"I had to turn around and take it off, which was a task -- I started my regimen in January; it took a 'little minute,'" she laughs. "I've still got work to do. I have to build my endurance and muscle for the tour. That's the next phase of this whole thing."
This "whole thing" starts off with the June 19 release of "Call On Me," the first single off the CD -- with a little help from Janet's friend [CELEB name="NELLY" year=""][A href="vny!://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1802441841&cf=gen" target=_new]NELLY[/A][/CELEB]. The album is co-produced by Janet's fiancé, [CELEB name="JERMAINE DUPRI" year=""][A href="vny!://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800421199&cf=gen" target=_new]JERMAINE DUPRI[/A][/CELEB].
"I love this album, and I hate to say, 'expect an album that you'll love' -- which I just said, but I love this, so hopefully everyone else will enjoy it," says Janet, "and it's different, it's a little reminiscent, yet it's new and fresh."
Source: [A href="vny!://et.tv.yahoo.com/music/14827/"]vny!://et.tv.yahoo.com/music/14827/[/A]
Boy, does she look smoking hawt. Good for her.
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