Janet Jackson: 'I had Michael's back'

Rex Features

Janet Jackson has revealed that she always had her brother's "back".

The 43-year-old popstar, who recently denied speculation that she and Madonna were planning to collaborate, has insisted that her opening 2009 VMAs tribute performance could have only been done with their song 'Scream'.

Jackson told MTV: "There was so much going on at that time. That's when the - I hate to say this, but - the first allegations of child molestation came out and the whole bit. He was very upset and very angry and he had so much pent up in him that he wanted to get out and say. And when you listen to the lyrics, that's what it's about."

Jackson has also said that the role she played in the 1995 music video was the same role that she played with the late star in real life.

She added: "I played the role that I've always played in his life: his little sister that was there by his side, that had his back no matter what. That's what 'Scream' was for me."