Why Janet Jackson’s ‘Control’ Came to the Rescue in J. Lo’s ‘Hustlers’—A Gesture That Changed Everything

Jennifer Lopez and Janet Jackson’s friendship is one rooted in mutual respect, shared experiences, and decades of support. While their individual journeys in the entertainment industry have often been under the spotlight, the bond between these two iconic women has remained a source of strength for both of them, particularly during challenging times in their personal lives.

The deep connection between the 55-year-old Lopez and the 58-year-old Jackson dates back to the early 1990s when Lopez was a backup dancer for Jackson. Lopez’s appearance in Jackson’s 1993 music video for That’s the Way Love Goes marked the beginning of a lasting friendship and occasional collaboration. According to an exclusive source speaking to In Touch, this relationship is not a new one, but has only grown stronger over the years. “They’ve been pals and occasional collaborators for more than thirty years,” the insider shares. “But especially over the last five years, Jennifer has had a guardian angel in the form of Janet cheering her on and even providing some valuable support at key moments.”

Lopez has been navigating a period of reinvention, particularly following her 2024 divorce from Ben Affleck. Through this emotional time, the support from Jackson has been invaluable. The source notes that Jackson’s mentorship has played a crucial role in Lopez’s resilience, as she continues to redefine her career, focusing on movies, streaming, and music.

A powerful example of their mutual support came when Janet Jackson allowed her classic song Control to be used in a particularly racy scene in Lopez’s hit movie Hustlers. This gesture was particularly meaningful for Lopez, as Jackson is known for being selective about where and how her music is used. “That alone was a huge deal for Jennifer, because Janet almost never releases her music for that kind of purpose,” the source says. “Jennifer will never forget the kindness of that gesture.”

Their bond is further solidified by shared history in the entertainment industry. Jackson has long admired Lopez’s ability to cross over from music to acting, and when Lopez made the decision to step away from a potential tour with Jackson to pursue an acting career, Jackson was nothing but supportive. “I said, ‘OK,’ and wished her well and hoped that she would have great success, because that’s not an easy thing to do,” Jackson recalled in 2001, recognizing the courage it took for Lopez to make such a bold move.

As both women experienced their respective peaks in the entertainment industry, they began to recognize the parallels in their careers—particularly how they’ve both battled industry forces that underestimated them. The most significant bond between the two may be the personal challenges they’ve faced, including their high-profile divorces. Jackson’s difficult split from Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana mirrored Lopez’s heartbreaking divorce from Affleck, creating a unique empathy between the two women.

“The bigger bond between Jennifer and Janet is that, over the last twenty years, they’ve both been through a lot of the same stuff—the ups and downs of the music business, people underestimating them at every turn, and of course the wild turns in their personal lives where they both have gone through high-profile divorces,” the insider reveals.

Throughout their friendship, Jackson has been nothing but proud of Lopez’s accomplishments, from her groundbreaking career in music and film to her resilience in the face of personal struggles. “Janet can look at Jennifer and see what she’s managed to accomplish and be totally proud,” the source concludes. “This friendship means the world to both of them!”

As both women continue to thrive in their careers and personal lives, their powerful friendship stands as a testament to the strength of supporting one another through both the triumphs and tribulations of life in the public eye.