CONTRARY to her reputation as a diva, R&B and pop veteran Janet Jackson's backstage demands for her coming three-show South African tour make her look like anything but a spoilt brat. The 45-year-old sister of late pop icon Michael Jackson kicks off her Up Close and Personal Tour on Friday at Montecasino's Teatro, followed by another show on Saturday, before heading off to Cape Town's Grandwest Arena on Tuesday.
Though the All For You singer's personal assistant Terri Harris, one of 50 crew members accompanying her, "co-ordinates" her meals, the singer's tour rider stipulates that her "Star Dressing Room" be equipped with nothing less than what other stars demand.
On the list are Huggies unscented hand wipes, non-floral scent air freshener, unscented candles between 8-10cm in diameter, 28 towels of various sizes, an iPod docking station (if unavailable she needs a CD player with a selection of R&B and Jazz CDs) and cut white tulips.
And if there are no tulips, she will need white gardenias or white roses. Promoters have been told to clear it with her management if changes are made should they not have the specified flowers. Food - including Chinese meals and pizzas - are listed under "after show" demands. Her room is to be stocked with Orbit chewing gum, organic creamy peanut butter, sliced fresh strawberries, a variety of herbal teas, six litres of Fiji bottle water set at room temperature, and also Glaceau Smart Water.
Though the latter is not available in South Africa, concert organiser Tony Feldman simply said yesterday: "We'll make a plan". Jackson arrives in the country tomorrow, but will not conduct interviews. A tour insider said yesterday: "She's under a lot of pressure with the trial (the manslaughter case of Michael Jackson's personal physician Dr Conrad Murray) and will be flying in from Australia, so they're trying to get her as much rest as possible."
Janet Jackson upset many Australian fans after she cancelled a show in Sydney at the last minute because she needed a "vocal rest". (Sowetanlive)
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