During the two years prior to the release of The Velvet Rope, Janet Jackson struggled with a long-term case of depression. As a result, she frequently took time off during the recording of the album or abruptly left the studio during recording sessions. The Velvet Rope became a concept album about her struggles.
In her book, Miss America By Day – Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love, Marilyn Van Derbur, a former Miss America, tells the story of how she was sexually violated by her prominent, millionaire father from age 5 to age 18. She was 53 years old before she was able to speak the words in public, “I am an incest survivor.”
Whitney Houston – I Didn’t Know My Own Strength inspiring Oprah performance