Jun 19, 2:36 PM (ET)


BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Janet Jackson was in no mood for jokes when she got a cheeky introduction from actor Alan Cumming as she received a humanitarian award from a gay rights group.

After Cumming joked that she was never one for controversy, Jackson apologized for her own lack of humor in her first public appearance since brother Michael Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charges.

"My family and I have just gone through the least humorous chapter of our lives," she explained in accepting the award Saturday night from the Human Rights Campaign. "I'm going to leave the jokes to the late-night (comics), if that's OK."

Michael Jackson was acquitted June 13 following a four-month trial on charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland ranch in 2003.

"What I've learned in these recent months is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," Janet Jackson said. "And it's real, it's a beautiful light that both comforts our minds and strengthens our souls. Tonight my heart is filled with gratitude for that light. I'm so grateful that prayers are answered, that faith is rewarded and tolerance is celebrated as a virtue. I'm grateful that God is of unconditional love."

Jackson was honored for the millions of dollars she has both raised and donated for humanitarian causes, notably the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

She received a standing ovation from the hundreds of $250-$375-a-plate contributors who crammed the Beverly Hilton Hotel ballroom.

Jackson told the crowd, "Acceptance is right. Kindness is right. Love is right. I pray, right now, that we're moving into a kinder time when prejudice is overcome by understanding; when narrow-mindedness, and narrow-minded bigotry is overwhelmed by open-hearted empathy; when the pain of judgmentalism is replaced by the purity of love."

Hopefully she puts at least some of this sentiment into her next record.

We'll find out soon enough.

GangstaFam said:

Me too. She's really good when she does songs with social topics, ie. "New Agenda" or parts of Velvet Rope.

Janet's speech was wonderful. Plus she looked amazing. I thinking that this next cd might be her best yet.

On a side-note, I usually love Alan Cummings, but what the hell was he thinking with that introduction???? That event was neither the time nor the place for controversy jokes. Janet was the honoree for cryin out loud. I'm would think that he didn't mean anything by it, but enough already with the jokes,people. It's getting really old.

She looks beautiful (as always) and it makes me proud to be a Janet fan.

(((unflinching ::heart symbol::))

I was gonna start a thread on this, but is she gonna marry Jermaine now. Do you think she would make the marriage public

Has Jermaine met her daughter?

she looks fat

JANFAN4L said:

I couldn't agree w/ you more!!

Good goin', Jan! Now, like GangstaFam said, she just needs to translate some of these sentiments into her next record.

squiddyren said:

I think she will...

I am sure babygurl has alot on the brain she wishes to comment on.....

I think this next LP will be her MOST personal to date.

The waiting is a killa thou'...
[Edited 6/19/05 18:19pm]

She looks like she did during "control" era? does this woman ever age?

twink69 said:

Judging by her beautiful mother.. I dont think she does.....

BoOTyLiCioUs said:

no, she looks good. god damn, does everybody have to be bulimia-thin to to escape being called "fat?"

no, I'm not sayin that. Curvy is beautiful. I am curvy. But Janet is getting pudgy.

BoOTyLiCioUs said:

As Janet grows older, she will almost look like her mother.

Isel said:

because she looked good?
[Edited 6/20/05 2:53am]

beautiful words, Janet!!

isthisdadawn said:

Let's hope cuz her last record wasn't about anything.

MartyMcFly said:

Actually, it doesn't hurt to look good. But no, I was making separate observations. Janet's speech was great. In addition, but not necessarily related, she looked good, too.

isthisdadawn said:

do you compose her promo kits? her newest cd is ALWAYS her "most personal to date".


[Edited 6/20/05 9:12am]

she gonna marry Jermaine now. Do you think she would make the marriage public

BoOTyLiCioUs said:

She turned to food to get through Michael's ordeal.
Much like us real folks do.
Shit, I can see why she mighta needed two bicsuits AND two sides with her 2 piece.
I ain't mad.

lilgish said:

Yes

1. I don't think Mr. Dupri could resist letting the world know he was married to Janet, and it's a little different considering they are BOTH public figures.

2. Plus, they did announce they were dating.

Funny picture though.
It looks like her hair is too heavy and its making her head crooked.

wow,that was wonderful and she looked beatiful!

She is gorgeous and ages very gracefully just like many other members of her family.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

MY FIRST LAUGH ALL DAY!!!!

I think she looks better!
Damn bout time that stupid All 4 U weave is gone!!!!!

Back to the short hair come on Janet!!!

She looks vaguely evil. Maybe its just this pic-- i think shes beautiful, but she just looks vaguely evil.



I was loving her stomach circa last album-- but the actual album itself was just a couple songs worth listening to.
So hurray for the bod change if its means heavier music of substance.