Janet Jackson Thanks John Singleton For Giving Her Her First Movie Role
Yesterday (Apr. 29), the news of film director John Singleton passing rocked the entertainment industry.
Many actors took to social media to share heartfelt words about the director, producer, and screenwriter, including Janet Jackson.
The pop diva took to Instagram to thank Singleton for giving her her very first movie role, which led to an Oscar nomination.
“You gave me my first movie role, my first Oscar nomination and so much more,” Jackson wrote. “Thank you for all you have given to the world through your work and all you have done for Black culture, women and young filmmakers. I will miss you John. Keeping your family in my prayers.”
Jackson starred in Singleton’s 1993 film Poetic Justice alongside the late Tupac Shakur. Her song “Again” was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe award in the same category.
Fellow director Spike Lee also took to Instagram to share a few words about Singleton. “I Will Forever Miss My Brother John Singleton. We Met While He Was A Film Student At USC. Over Many Years People Have Told Me, ‘I’m Going To Be A Filmmaker’, When John Said That To Me The 1st Time We Met, I Believed Him Right Away,” Lee wrote.
Actress Taraji P. Henson also shared a myriad of messages on Instagram for Singleton who she worked with on the film Baby Boy. “My heart is broken!!! I am at a loss for words,” Henson wrote.
She added, “If it were NOT for #JohnSingleton I would not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame He put me in my first feature film #BabyBoy#RIHJOHNSINGLETON,”
Glennisha Morgan is a Detroit-bred multimedia journalist and writer. She writes about intersectionality, hip-hop, pop culture, queer issues, race, feminism, and her truth. Follow her on Twitter.
