The four-part documentary will see the legendary pop icon Janet Jackson tell her life story in her own words, 40 years after the release of her very first album.

One of the best-selling and highest-earning artists in music history, Janet Jackson has endured a tumultuous private life under the glare of public scrutiny. Having enjoyed extraordinary success but also incredible tragedy, the documentary will see the singer lift the lid on her private life for the very first time, revealing some of the most intimate moments of the star ever recorded on camera.

The documentary joins Janet as she travels back to the place where her astonishing journey began: her hometown of Gary, Indiana. The singer shares how she fought her way to the top of the music industry, covering difficult themes such as drug addiction, family relationships, sexuality, and race relations. Discussing everything from her Superbowl appearance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the controversy surrounding her brother Michael Jackson and her decision to become a mother later in life, Jackson looks back on her life over the course of five years and speaks like never before.

The documentary will see contributions from siblings, business partners, peers, and journalists, including Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Paula Abdul and Regina King.

Director Benjamin Hirsch commented: “The project started life as a behind-the-scenes tour film, but as Janet, who is a notoriously private person, started to open up we soon realised that there was a much bigger story to tell. To get the opportunity to tell her story and delve through never-before-seen personal archives has been fascinating.”

Janet Jackson will air as double bills across two consecutive nights, starting on Monday 31 January on Sky Documentaries and NOW.