Janet Jackson 'verbally abused by brothers'

Janet Jackson has revealed that her brothers used to taunt her over her appearance.

The singer spoke of how Michael and her other brothers called her names such as "horse", "pig", "cow" and "slaughter-hog", which she admits affected her deeply.

In an interview on the Today show, Janet admitted: "I would literally bang my head up against the wall because I didn't feel attractive. There was a lot of pain in my life. But I did. I felt very unattractive."

On her brothers' teasing, she said: "It makes you laugh, it really does. It makes you laugh. I guess some people could say, 'Oh that's, you know, brothers and sisters joking, it's all affection, it's all, you know, it's in a loving way,' but not everybody can brush it off, and I was one of those."

Janet went on to recall that her issues with her weight began when she was asked to shed pounds for a role on a TV show at the age of 10.

She explained: "I was asked to lose weight. I wasn't a heavy kid on the show but I was 10 years old and developing very quickly so they would put gauze around my chest to make me smaller, and I think that has an effect on you as a child as if who you are isn't good enough."

Jackson's mansion to turn into music school

King of pop Michael Jackson's house Neverland Ranch might turn into a music school for teenagers soon.
The mansion owners want to turn the building into a fame school for teenaged musicians, where children from all walks of life could learn to write and perform music, reports thesun.co.uk.

"It's an interesting idea and we'd be open to it," said a spokesman for Jackson's estate.

The mansion is owned by a private real estate firm Colony Capital that is looking into using Jackson's name to promote the venture.

However, Santa Barbara County officials are yet to sign the project.

Janet Jackson helps raise money for charity

Singer Janet Jackson is reportedly helping raise money for a hunger charity in Los Angeles.
She allowed Mattel toy manufacturers to immortalize her appearance on US reality show "American Idol" earlier this year in plastic, complete with a replica of her designer black and red gown.

Contactmusic.com reports that only one Janet Barbie doll was made and is worth USD 15,000. It is now up for sale to benefit Project Angel Food, which delivers meals to families affected by terminal illnesses in Los Angeles.


Sanjay Dutt, Maanyata deposit twins' stem cells with LifeCell

Bollywood Actor Sanjay Dutt and his wife Maanyata Dutt, who were recently blessed with twins, have taken the innovative step to bank their babies' umbilical cord stem cells with LifeCell, a pioneer in stem cells domain in India.

The couple who joins many other celebrities in this decision, will stay connected with the latest trends in healthcare and provide their children a secure future with the gift of lifetime, a company release here today said.

With Sanjay Dutt signing up for this service, LifeCell has expanded its celebrity clientele portfolio with Bollywood actors like Hrithik Roshan, Raveena Tandon, Madhavan and many others having banked their child's stem cells with LifeCell, it said.

The baby's umbilical cord blood and tissue are a rich biological resource of stem cells, which have the potential to treat over 75 serious ailments through the innovative concept of stem cell therapy.

Umbilical cord stem cell banking is a service wherein the baby's umbilical cord blood and cord tissue are collected immediately after birth which is otherwise discarded after birth.

Janet Jackson confirms world tour plans

Janet Jackson has confirmed plans for a world tour.

The 'Make Me' singer, who released her retrospective LP Number Ones earlier this year, will play 35 dates across the globe where she will perform each of her 35 number one hits.

In a blog on her official website, she said: "During the past several months I've had such wonderful experiences. I've released my Number Ones CD...and throughout this time I've heard from you - my fans - whom I cherish dearly.

"Many have asked when I will tour again - well today I'm really excited to answer that question, and I announce my largest ever world tour, celebrating 35 number ones.

"This tour will be different from those of the past in the way that I will exclusively perform songs from my number ones. You'll hear all the hits in 35 cities, which I want you to help me select."

She added: "Wherever possible I will perform in venues that will allow me to be up close so that I can be with you in a much more intimate setting."

After fans submitted their suggestion to the star's official website, the first city announced for the jaunt is Hong Kong, where she will perform next year on February 14. Further dates are expected to follow shortly.

Earlier this year Jackson promised that she would return to the UK for a live date in the near future.

Janet Jackson to sign with indie label?

Janet Jackson has revealed that she is considering signing with an independent music label to handle her future releases.

The singer, who ended her contract with Island Records in 2008, insisted that she wants to be in control of the material she produces.

"All the major labels have called and they want to sit down and talk about me signing," she told The Mirror.

"But I need to figure out if that's the route I want to take or if I want to do something more independent."

She added that she is still weighing her options to decide what would be best for her career.

"The latter might be better, where I'd be able to call the shots when creating my own album. I haven't decided," she explained.