After achieving huge success with "Control" and "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814," record executives were clamoring to sign Janet Jackson to their label. As "Taking Control" recounted, her deal was completed with A&M Records, Janet signed to Richard Branson's label, Virgin Records, for $40 million in 1991 — the largest contract in history at the time.
"Did it shock me? No! This was my 9 to 5, it was my work," she explained in her documentary. "I hate to make it sound like this but it was like ok you get a promotion, — but what a huge promotion it was — but I'm doing my job and I try to do it to the best of my ability."
Later on, Michael Jackson and Madonna would surpass the record by signing deals for $60 million, according to the AP. However, in 1996, Janet renewed her contract with Virgin for $80 million, signing the largest contract in history for a second time. In a 1997 interview with Giselle Fernández, Janet was asked what it felt like being the highest-paid entertainer in the world. "I really don't think about that, being the highest paid, really," she said. "Once the deal was done, it was just done. I went on about my life like I normally do."
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZmbWhnaIJ2e9OhnGahnpi%2FprDIm6OeZaSnrq%2B%2Fxaipppmknryvec6fZKOZnprBbrbAnKKsp55k