'Janet Jackson Doc' Gets an Extended Trailer f/ Samuel L. Jackson, Teyana Taylor, Mariah Carey, and More

The singer revealed that the film will release on Jan. 28 via Lifetime and A&E, commemorating the 40th anniversary of her self-titled debut album, which came out in 1982. The doc features cameos from Samuel L. Jackson, Teyana Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, Q-Tip, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Ciara, Paula Abdul, and more.

“This is my story, told by me. Not through someone else’s eyes,” Jackson said, regarding her documentary. “This is the truth. Take it or leave it. Love it or hate it. This is me.”

The trailer reveals that the film has been in production for over five years, which sees Janet and Randy Jackson coming on as executive producers. The doc was mostly filmed during the time that Janet’s father, Joe died in 2018, with a good portion of the trailer dedicated to discussing her working and personal relationship with her dad.

“There were times when I just didn’t understand where I actually fit in,” Janet says. “My father was very strict. He was in charge of my life, my career. My father said, ‘You’re gonna sing.’”

The documentary also uses archival footage to take a deeper look at major moments in Jackson’s journey, like Michael’s death in 2009. Lifetime and A&E previously shared the film’s first teaser back in September.