Janet Jackson has said she supports women who “have made it clear we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused”.

In the past 12 months, the entertainment industry has been rocked by allegations of sexual harassment and movements such as #MeToo and Time’s Up have come to prominence.

Jackson, 52, was awarded the Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas and used her acceptance speech to praise women who have come forward.

She said: “I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I feel that for all the challenges, all of our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history.

“It’s a moment when at long last women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused.

“I stand with these women and with those men who are equally outraged by discrimination, who support us in heart and mind.”

Before picking up her award, Jackson performed a medley of three of her best known songs; Nasty, If and Throb.

She was introduced on stage by Bruno Mars before the audience was shown a short film featuring highlights of her career.

Jackson is one of the famous Jackson siblings and her older brother, Michael, is one of the biggest-selling musicians of all time.

The previous recipients of the Icon Award are Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Cher.

Janet Jackson Announces 2017 STATE OF THE WORLD Tour Schedules North American Tour Dates & Adds More Shows

*THE STATE OF THE WORLD TOUR:*

**Denotes a New Event

Thursday, September 07, 2017	Lafayette, LA	Cajundome**
Saturday, September 09, 2017	Houston, TX	Toyota Center
Sunday, September 10, 2017	Austin, TX	Frank Erwin Center
Wednesday, September 13, 2017	San Antonio, TX	AT&T Center
Thursday, September 14, 2017	Dallas, TX	American Airlines Center
Saturday, September 16, 2017	Little Rock, AR	Verizon Arena
Sunday, September 17, 2017	Tulsa, OK	BOK Center
Tuesday, September 19, 2017	Albuquerque, NM	Isleta Amphitheater
Thursday, September 21, 2017	Phoenix, AZ	Talking Stick Resort Arena**
Saturday, September 23, 2017	Anaheim, CA	Honda Center
Sunday, September 24, 2017	Fresno, CA	Save Mart Center**
Tuesday, September 26, 2017	Vancouver, BC	Rogers Arena**
Wednesday, September 27, 2017	Seattle, WA	Key Arena
Friday, September 29, 2017	Portland, OR	Moda Center
Sunday, October 01, 2017	Reno, NV	Grand Sierra Resort & Casino**
Tuesday, October 03, 2017	Sacramento, CA	Golden 1 Center**
Thursday, October 05, 2017	Concord, CA	Concord Pavilion
Saturday, October 07, 2017	San Diego, CA	Valley View Casino Center**
Sunday, October 08, 2017	Los Angeles, CA	Hollywood Bowl
Saturday, October 14, 2017	Las Vegas, NV	Mandalay Bay Events Center**
Monday, October 16, 2017	Salt Lake City, UT	Vivint Smart Home Arena
Tuesday, October 17, 2017	Denver, CO	Pepsi Center Arena
Thursday, October 19, 2017	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
Saturday, October 21, 2017	St. Louis, MO	Chaifetz Arena
Sunday, October 22, 2017	Milwaukee, WI	BMO Harris Bradley Center
Wednesday, October 25, 2017	Moline, IL	iWireless Center
Thursday, October 26, 2017	Chicago, IL	Allstate Arena
Saturday, October 28, 2017	Toledo, OH	The Huntington Center
Sunday, October 29, 2017	Detroit, MI	Little Caesars Arena**
Wednesday, November 01, 2017	Grand Rapids, MI	Van Andel Arena**
Thursday, November 02, 2017	Toronto, ON	Air Canada Centre**
Saturday, November 04, 2017	Buffalo, NY	KeyBank Center**
Sunday, November 05, 2017	Boston, MA	TD Garden
Tuesday, November 07, 2017	Providence, RI	Dunkin Donuts Center
Wednesday, November 08, 2017	Manchester, NH	SNHU Arena
Friday, November 10, 2017	Atlantic City, NJ	Boardwalk Hall
Saturday, November 11, 2017	Bethlehem, PA	Sands Bethlehem Events Center
Monday, November 13, 2017	Philadelphia, PA	Wells Fargo Center
Wednesday, November 15, 2017	Brooklyn, NY	Barclays Center
Thursday, November 16, 2017	Washington, DC	Verizon Center
Saturday, November 18, 2017	Baltimore, MD	Royal Farms Arena
Sunday, November 19, 2017	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
Sunday, November 26, 2017	Indianapolis, IN	Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Tuesday, November 28, 2017	Columbus, OH	Schottenstein Center
Wednesday, November 29, 2017	Pittsburgh, PA	PPG Paints Arena
Friday, December 01, 2017	Louisville, KY	KFC Yum! Center
Sunday, December 03, 2017	Cleveland, OH	Quicken Loans Arena
Monday, December 04, 2017	Lexington, KY	Rupp Arena**
Wednesday, December 06, 2017	Memphis, TN	FedEx Forum**
Thursday, December 07, 2017	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena**
Saturday, December 09, 2017	Birmingham, Al	The BJCC
Monday, December 11, 2017	Fort Lauderdale, FL	BB&T Center
Tuesday, December 12, 2017	Jacksonville, FL	Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Thursday, December 14, 2017	Norfolk, VA	Norfolk Scope Arena
Saturday, December 16, 2017	Columbia, SC	Colonial Life Arena
Sunday, December 17, 2017	Atlanta, GA	Philips Arena