Janet Jackson has hinted in a new video that she might have something in the pipeline for 2026.
In a brief address to fans shared for the New Year, the ‘Scream’ artist reflected on the past year and appeared to look ahead to something new. “I feel we had an incredible 2025,” she teased, “but I think everybody is in for a treat in 2026.”
Many fans have been quick to note that this year will mark her 60th birthday, and could see her celebrate five decades in the music industry with new material or a new tour.
Many have also speculated that it could mean the arrival of a long-awaited album from Jackson, which, if it comes to be, would mark her first in over a decade following 2015’s ‘Unbreakable.’
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member did announce an album titled ‘Black Diamond’ with an accompanying tour set to follow it in 2020, but it seems the COVID pandemic put the project on pause.
Janet Jackson with a message before 2026 pic.twitter.com/4HOeUp1fA6
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) January 1, 2026
Last year, Jackson addressed her many years in the spotlight, admitting she didn’t consider herself “an icon”. The singer made the comments while accepting the Icon Award at the American Music Awards last night back in May, which saw her give her first televised performance in seven years, singing her hits ‘Someone To Call My Lover’ and ‘All For You’.
At the time, Jackson said she was “honoured” and “grateful” to receive the award, and added: “No disrespect in any way, but I don’t consider myself an icon.
“My family, myself, our dream wasn’t ever to be famous. We weren’t raised like that. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing, and fame came with the result of hard work and dedication,” she added.
It came as she was nearing the end of her Las Vegas residency. After a lengthy stint from December 2024 to February 2025, she then shared she would be extending her career-spanning Vegas performances to another run in May.
Previous to her Vegas residency, the ‘Nasty’ hitmaker had brought a huge 39-song performance to the UK and Europe last year on the ‘Together Again’ tour, which again marked her return to the stage after many years, with the ‘Together Again’ run marking her first UK performance since Glastonbury 2019.
Elsewhere last year, Eminem, Jackson and more were snubbed for Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025.