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Empty Embarrassment

stadium emptySOLVED!

[Blind Gossip] She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. However, she can’t do dozens of tour dates and expect to fill large stadiums anymore.

How does she avoid the major embarrassment of playing to a half-empty venue? Control the number of concerts by cancelling dates! She’ll pretend to reschedule the cancelled dates… but then not actually do it. The die-hard fans will consolidate to just a few locations on just a few dates. Offer $25 tickets to fill the rest of the space. Bingo! Full arena.

She’ll use any excuse possible to cancel. Health issues, family problems, scheduling conflicts. At this point, we would be surprised if she shows up for more than 20% of her originally scheduled dates.

Similar: Half Empty Scramble

Singer:

[Optional] How much would you pay for a ticket to one of her concerts?

Janet Jackson performs live on stage at the Sydney Opera House on November 5, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.
Janet Jackson performs live on stage at the Sydney Opera House on November 5, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.

SOLVED!

Who told you almost exactly a month ago that Janet Jackson’s tour was not selling, and that she was going to “use any excuse possible to cancel”?

Blind Gossip did!

Well, now she has cancelled her ENTIRE tour… and is using a bizarre excuse to do it!

She started out gradually with the mysterious, unidentified health issue. The mysterious, unidentified surgical procedure. Her family spread the news to garner attention and sympathy. “It might be cancer!” Oh, no!

Please. There was no cancer, and when she “recovered” from her mysterious illness, she promised to make up all those tour dates.

She lied. The sympathy bid did not stimulate ticket sales, and she couldn’t even sell the tickets at a heavily discounted rate. So she decided to cancel the rest of the tour.

However, she couldn’t SAY that she cancelled because the tour was failing. So she came up with a new excuse: She MUST leave the tour because she is planning to start a family! So the tour is now postponed “indefinitely.”

WHAT THE…?

Janet Jackson is nearly 50 years old. She has been married for four years. This tour has been planned for almost a year. There were contracts in place. Venues were booked. Tickets were sold. Merchandise was produced. Wardrobe was created. Sets were built. Musicians and dancers were hired and trained. Sound engineers and lighting techs and road crews were working. Tickets were sold. A concert tour is a HUGE production.

Then she goes out on tour but abandons the tour midway? Not because it’s failing, mind you, but because she suddenly decides that she needs to do some “family planning”? Oh, please!

That. Makes. No. Sense.

From CNN:

Jackson announced she is halting the second leg of her “Unbreakable” world tour for the second time on doctor’s orders.

In late December, she attributed a tour delay to her need to recover from an unspecified surgery.

This time, the singer is giving a little more detail.

“I thought it was important that you be the first to know. My husband and I are planning our family, so I’m going to have to delay the tour,” she told fans in a video released on Twitter on Wednesday. “Please, if you can try and understand that it’s important that I do this now. I have to rest up, doctor’s orders. But I have not forgotten about you. I will continue the tour as soon as I possibly can.”

No word on whether Jackson, 49, and her husband, 41-year-old Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, are looking to build their family the old-fashioned way or through other means.

The singer’s representatives had no further comment.

In January, Jackson shot down rumors that she was battling cancer after postponing several tour dates.

“The rumors are untrue. I do not have cancer. I am recovering,” Jackson said in a video message.

In the latest video, Jackson thanked her band, dancers, crew and fans. “I can’t wait for us to get started again,” she said.

Note that Janet Jackson didn’t say from what she was “recovering.” She didn’t say that that she was pregnant. She didn’t say that she was undergoing fertility treatments. She didn’t say that she was adopting. Just more mysteriousness and vague blah blah about doctor’s orders. Doctor’s orders? Oh, my! It must be serious!

There was even a video from bed wearing glasses and all-white pajamas (and full makeup) to gain sympathy and to try to convince you of the seriousness of the situation (see below). Anything to avoid admitting that her album and her tour were a failure!

By the way, if you already bought a ticket to her show, you’re out of luck. Because she is saying that her tour is “postponed” instead of “cancelled”, Ticketmaster will not issue refunds!

Congratulations to Melly123 for being first with the correct answer! Did you see the “control” clue? It was a reference to one of Jackson’s big hits, “Control.” Jojo5282 was the first to catch that clue!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Warrior1461 says

    balking out of tours and other contractually bound obligations. She learned it from her brother.

  2. breezyjay says

    I feel like she always cancels tour dates. I remember being a little 12-year-old back when she was on tour in ’02, which she cancelled due to illness, and even I knew it was BS. Not cool and so many ppl are falling for her lies!

  3. august says

    She is a phony , never liked her. She married her rich husband secretly just around the time after her mother went missing.

  5. traherne says

    Obviously Janet. She does this every single time she goes on tour.

    Madonna very rarely cancels dates.

  8. mpizzle says

    Probably Janet but it’s surprising.

    I paid $400 to see her at the Sydney Opera House a few years ago and she was unreal! She was performing like someone half her age. Didn’t stop moving and the vocals were on point. I’d definitely pay those $$ to see her again.

  9. scout727 says

    Beyonce.

    She announced her new tour would be only stadiums…. Everyone is sick of her “new” attitude… Police, fans, etc.

  10. chaseboogie says

    Rihanna. They keep saying she has sold more hit singles than Michael Jackson, Mariah, etc. But the truth is, folks just aren’t feeling her like they used to.

  11. Jester says

    Janet Jackson???

    If this is Ms. Jackson, I wouldn’t pay a cent. Furthermore, I wouldn’t pay a cent to attend any concerts these days.

    When did I get old??? ?

  14. keeley123 says

    Poor Janet Jackson – seriously – it must suck and why not try to not be embarrassed?! Clue: Control.

  16. Carolina Girl says

    Janet Jackson

    Just canceled her UK tour date with nothing said about rescheduling.

  17. purpleunicorn says

    Rihanna? She’s already postponed her tour from February to March and also canceled a couple dates in the UK so far because she could not fill the large venues.

    A clue could be the “20%” for her bday being on February 20th…

  23. VinylDestination says

    Awww… Poor Miss Janet Jackson

    I’ve seen so many times, but she does almost the same thing in every tour. So bot much. But I’d pay $25 if she can CONTROL the numbers!

  29. Californialove says

    Singer: Janet Jackson

    [Optional] How much would you pay for a ticket to one of her concerts? We paid $20.00 for our lawn seats. I wouldn’t have paid much more.

  33. Lelaina Pierce says

    Mariah? At a quick glance, I see she has several dates scheduled in the UK. But then Madonna has even more scheduled in Australia. The “family problems” make me think it’s Madonna, but I guess it could be either.

  41. CyndiTx123 says

    Janet Jackson ? but then I was thinking Madonna, but she is traveling world wide for her tour…..

  48. mermaidh2 says

    And how much would I pay? She would have to pay ME. The entire Jackson family is repulsive, except for those poor kids that have to put up with the adults.

  50. Laughing1 says

    Poor Janet Jackson…….kinda sad…….maybe just move to Vegas and be done with it……

    • CelebrityGirl says

      Duh, how did I miss the “control” clue? I change my answer to Janet Jackson!

    • Katmandu says

      Janet Jackson. The last time I swooned over her music was back in MTV days! I don’t think I would recognize any song by her put out since then. I really don’t know how she stays in business, so to speak – who are her fans????

      And why is she knocking herself out, isn’t she married to a billionaire? Won’t he give her an allowance or something? Retire, JJ. You’re over.

  55. KeithT78 says

    Janet Jackson

    Cancelled all European dates yesterday. Had tickets to her Dublin show so now have lost out on the show, train tickets and hotel. Won’t be going if she reschedules.

  56. CherryBomb27 says

    I’m probably wrong, but I’m going to guess Madonna? Her tours were always sell outs but the last time she toured this country (UK) it literally slipped under the radar. Plus, she’s having trouble with Rocco wanting to live with his father in London instead of with her.

    • erindipity says

      I don’t think this is her but holy *. She’s touring in Australia right now and friends who’ve been said she tried to do hacky stand up bits off scraps of paper for a good half hour, drunkenly abusing the audience and the musical performance carried on in that vein. Just self-indulgent garbage, abusing the crowd and trashiness for its own sake. When five very camp gay men walk out of your show and you’re Madonna, it’s time to hang up the leotard, sweet pea.

  59. iamnumber21 says

    this can’t be Madonna, right?

    I watched her concert here in manila and it was packed!
    biggest fan here 🙂

  61. slimfast10 says

    Of course this is the increasingly desperate Madonna. I considered myself lucky to have seen her during her most controversial Like a Virgin tour. She was fabulous, In Killer shape, a wonder. Her videos made MTV, no doubt she was a trailblazer.
    But her attempt to remain relevant have tarnished her image. She just looks foolish, instead of aging gracefully, let’s face it not everyone can pull off the Mick Jagger thing, looks ridiculous. Multimillionaire stay home with your troubled kids.

  68. Cotton Kandi says

    “Control” the number of concerts by cancelling dates! This is definitely Janet Jackson. Control being the clue and the title of Janet Jackson’s ground breaking album back in the 1980’s.

    Truth be told, Janet Jackson’s career has never rebounded after the whole Superbowl nipple gate fiasco. Pretty sad.

  69. sassygurl1987 says

    She’s done it several times already–JANET JACKSON–Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty! Nasty!

  76. missbelly says

    Madonna?
    I´m younger than her but I would like to have half of her energy.
    She have my respect as a pop artist, she experienced the growing of pop and was a major contributer for it.
    I would pay about 100€ or a little bit more.
    (sorry for my bad english)

  81. sweetnews says

    Sadly this is Janet Jackson. Janet should def plan a Vegas show, she would do amazing there! She needs a better team to generate buzz for her music and tours. It’s sad this is what it’s come to.

  84. mandlee says

    Rihanna

    Absolutely nothing, she shows up late, always seems high and barely finishes her sets. Did that in 2 shows where i am. Her show has not entertainment value

  89. FiyahHotFlashy says

    Janet Jackson…already spent $$ to see her this summer. Seriously thinking about selling my ticket. Love her but not that much!

  91. beautysleep says

    Janet.

    I paid $75 each for two tickets for a show that was postponed months ago with a very, very quiet reschedule at some point in the interim. In fact, I didn’t know the reschedule had even happened until I put in for a refund. I requested said refund as soon as I found out she just cancelled these other dates in Europe.

  92. MsBloodyMystery says

    That’s Rihanna.

    I paid 70 euros and was so PISSED when I noticed it got cancelled. I didn’t even buy a ticket for another date although I’ve seen her being the opening act of the Pussycat Dolls 8 years ago.

  98. with a twist says

    Janet Jackson
    Hint: control

    Just canceled European tour dates, I believe.

    I’d have paid a lot 10-15 years ago. Now, not so much.

  99. Becky S says

    Janet Jackson

    I wouldn’t pay one red cent, or walk across the street for that matter, to see her.

  100. Okayeah says

    Don’t know, but she’s dumb. She’ll get paid per concert, no matter how many people show up.

    • Okayeah says

      Ah, yes. Janet Jackson. Well then, she certainly doesn’t need the money, she just wants to feed her ego.

      I would pay nothing to see her. Didn’t care in the 90s when she was actually relevant, don’t care now.

  102. chiente says

    Janet Jackson. I would pay $10 but only if that included parking and an open bar.

  106. dynamodavid says

    Janet Jackson

    And, no. I wouldn’t pay anything because I would NOT go see her even if they paid me.

  107. stolidog says

    Poor Janet Jackson. Her time has kinda past, and, since she’s married to a billionaire, I’m not overly worried about her remaining very, very rich, if not as relevant.

  110. bostonbratt says

    Beyoncé?
    The price of her tickets are ridiculous. Saw her and hubby with the price of an HBO sub. Good enough

  112. lily0182 says

    Singer: Janet Jackson

    [Optional] How much would you pay for a ticket to one of her concerts? Full price, IF I wanted to go. I’m extremely picky about who I go see Live b/c it’s a p.i.t.a.

  113. Smudge says

    Madonna.

    Sounds harsh but I wouldnt pay anything to see her out of my own pocket. Ive never been a huge fan.

  114. Seahawks12 says

    This was a toss up between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for me. I settled on Beyoncé because I’m hoping she never fills an arena again after the stunt she pulled at the Super Bowl halftime show. I lost any respect I may have had for her as an American and that overrides respect for her talent in my book. I also don’t understand how she sexualizes her costumes and dance moves when her target audience is young teenagers.

  118. TheRevanchist says

    Janet Jackson

    Optional: If I had the $$$, the 90’s teen in me would probably pay up to $100. But then I remember I’m an adult now, and would just drink some $10 wine and watch Poetic Justice

  120. kcphilly says

    Janet Jackson

    Had “health issues” last year…and being a Jackson there’s always a chance for “family problems”

    • kcphilly says

      Also Control was one of her albums -“control the number of concerts” I’m surprised that she and her team would even shoot for arenas when she’s been out of the spotlight for so long and her attempt last year to come back in was underwhelming.

      Love Janet’s older music…but to see a tour of mainly her new songs…I’d pay about $25 total…which includes parking and tolls…so I’d need the actual ticket to be free.

  121. sneezy says

    Ms. Jackson, I would not pay for one of your shows after being so disappointed at the No. 1s show.

    Performing 1-2 minute snippets of songs and being out of there in an hour did not make for a happy concert goer!

  125. vulgarcriminal says

    Madonna?

    Her tour ended in January but she cancelled, rescheduled and threatened to tour in Australia but no one really cared that much.

    Give it up Madge, you’re done.

    I’d take $25 tickets though.

  128. Kerzep says

    Janet Jackson and I wouldn’t pay a dime! If the ticket were free, I still wouldn’t go

  130. TrendyWendy says

    Ms. Jackson, if you’re nasty.

    Any concert, I won’t pay more than $50. Except if it’s outdoor beautiful scenery, I’d pay $75.

  132. SeijnSei says

    Singer: Janet Jackson

    [Optional] How much would you pay for a ticket to one of her concerts?

    Apparently not enough to make her show up.

    • Aurora says

      I change my answer to Janet Jackson, clue being “Control” (one of her albums).

  139. jojo5282 says

    Singer: Janet Jackson
    Clue: “Control”
    How much would you pay for a ticket to one of her concerts? Sorry… just not interested.

  143. thelasthigh says

    Rihanna

    I hope not !! I have tickets to her show and it was already rescheduled due to “health issues”. if she doesn’t show up, I’ll be PISSED!!!

    • spunkie brewster says

      I don’t think she’s one of the best selling music artists of all time, not by a long shot

    • missmorticia says

      This!
      Possible clues..

      “….for more than 20%…” = 4.20 😉 Or have I imagined it?

      “Control…” Rih-rih’s repertoire includes classics such as “Control Me”, “Lose Control” and “Break It Off (Control Room)” (and the latter is off ANTI) (The link is pretty loose though, could my delightfully over-active imagination acting up again)

    • mar1ey says

      I think you could be right. She cancelled two stadium concerts in the UK, and postponed the start of her tour in the US. Add to that her dropping out as a performer at the Grammy’s and you have to wonder what is going on with her.

    • AihtnyC says

      Janet Jackson. She was supposed to perform in Philly in February but it got moved back to August. It’s sad. Her Rhythm Nation and Velvet Rope tour were amazing. And then whomever was setting up her shows must have left, because her newer concert tours seem like you’re going to a talent show – until the part where she has simulated sex with a member of the audience. Her latest tour doesn’t look like she put much effort into it. I miss the old Janet (and her original dancers)..

    • janebee says

      Janet Jackson – think this is now SOLVED. There are stories being published that she has cancelled tour due to plans to ‘start a family.’

    • etobicoker says

      I just read that Madonna’s tour was one of the successful of the year and it wrapped up as planned just recently. Her records may not sell like they used to but I guess her shows are still pretty big.