Janet Jackson is covering the October 2009 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.  In it she opens up about how she is dealing with the loss of her brother, Michael Jackson.

Janet Jackson hasn’t watched television since her brother Michael died suddenly in Los Angeles on June 25. She has blocked herself off completely from the hysterical media coverage of his death — who did it, what did it. “It will drive you crazy,” she says. “People can have rhinoceros skin, but there’s a point when something’s going to hurt you. Not everyone is stone, stone. I haven’t watched the news in weeks. I had to ask my chef, How’s Obama doing? I haven’t read a newspaper. On top of that, [we've lost] a family member.”

“I’ve been doing okay,” she says. “Work helps focus all of that energy on something that is of value to you.” She’s just back from vacation, a princely three days on a beach. “It was the first time I had to myself since Michael passed, the first time I could get away since all of that.”

She’s learned a lot in these past weeks. “I always wanted to have my mother’s [Katherine Jackson] strength, but I didn’t know if it was really there. But a few years back, something happened and I learned that I did.” She fixes you with a keen gaze. “I’m not going to mention it, but we all know what it is. And now, coming off all this, it’s even beyond that. I was just focused on my job at that moment within my family.” She pauses. “Now at least I know that I can step up to the plate and not crumble when I’m needed. When it comes to something like this that is so, so serious, so painful, so traumatic, I can handle it.”

It’s a great issue.  The interview is very touching…..read the entire article in the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar on stands September 22nd.

[Source Harper's Bazaar]

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