Normani, known for her sultry vocals and captivating stage presence, has set her sights on a dream collaboration with pop icon Janet Jackson. In a recent interview with Galore, the “Lights On” singer expressed her admiration for Jackson and shared her vision for what such a collaboration could look like.
“I’d have to say Janet Jackson. I feel like our tones would complement each other’s very well,” said Normani, 28. The singer revealed that her mother has always been a major influence, instilling a love for Jackson’s artistry. “She would say, ‘Girl, Janet was my Beyoncé, like you don’t even know!’”
A Lifelong Inspiration for Normani
Normani’s admiration for Jackson began at an early age. “I saw the Velvet Rope Tour at a young age, and I probably wasn’t supposed to,” she said with a laugh, referencing Jackson’s groundbreaking 1998-1999 tour. The Dopamine artist, who released her debut album in February 2024, credited Jackson as being “tremendously encouraging” throughout her career.
Normani didn’t hold back when discussing the potential for a creative partnership. “Honestly, we could do a whole album!” she exclaimed. “She’s so multifaceted. I can’t even tell you what one song would sound like because between the two of us, we could do so much.”
The connection runs deeper than just admiration. Normani performed Jackson’s 1986 hit “Pleasure Principle” at the BMI Awards in 2018, earning praise for her tribute to the legendary performer.
Normani also reflected on the importance of representation, emphasizing how role models like Jackson shaped her identity as an artist. “It was so important for me to have a Janet and a Beyoncé with curves to find my place,” she told Yahoo! Life in 2022. “Little Black me needed to see that. Being a Black woman, just to be seen or noticed, we have to work 10 times as hard.”
As Normani gears up for the next chapter in her music career, fans are eager to see if her collaboration with Janet Jackson becomes a reality