I know it’s been awhile since I updated the site but I’ve been very busy with other things. But over the next few days I plan to work on this site and give you all a much needed update. So sit tight.

Janet Jackson will be honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) this month.

The ‘Feedback’ singer is set to be recognized by the organization for working to combat prejudice against sexuality in the music industry. She will be presented with the Vanguard Award by U.S. talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at the organization’s Media Awards in Los Angeles’ Kodak Theater on April 26.

Janet said: “I have received a number of awards throughout my career, but I am so proud to be receiving the Vanguard Award from GLAAD.”

“Since its inception in 1985, GLAAD has taken the lead in making sure that people will no longer be judged by their gender identity or sexual orientation. I applaud them for their continued work and thank them for this honor from the bottom of my heart.”

Neil G. Giuliano, President of GLAAD, added: “We are delighted to honor Janet Jackson at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles as such a visible, welcoming and inclusive ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.”

“Ms. Jackson has a tremendous following inside the LGBT community and out, and having her stand with us against the defamation that LGBT people still face in our country is extremely significant.”

Previous recipients of the Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Liza Minnelli and Whoopi Goldberg.

Janet Jackson’s representative has played down reports of the singer’s hospitalization in Los Angeles on Monday, insisting she was just suffering from influenza.

The R&B superstar sparked fears for her health after she was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center late on Monday “with a shortness of breath,” according to Usmagazine.com.

But the singer’s spokesperson has reassured fans about the star’s illness, saying, “She’s just battling this flu like everyone else. Janet is fine.”

Although Janet Jackson is suffering from the flu this week (get well soon, Janet!), she has to feel pretty dang good about her rise back to the top of the pop class. Yep, Janet Jackson is No. 1 again! Jackson’s new album, Discipline, hit the shelves late last month and debuted at Billboard’s top spot. Will it stay there? Who knows, maybe not, but what a nice turn of events for Jackson.

Though the reviews have been rather mixed, there is no question, based on the record sales alone, that the album holds some quality tracks, and the ones that have gotten airplay so far have been well received. Obviously, she has very loyal fans, as well, but she’s always had those fans, and that fact alone didn’t drive her last two releases to the top of the charts. Those two, Damita Jo and 20 Y.O., debuted at Billboard No. 2 but slid very quickly in the following weeks. This time around, the label pre-released several tracks. So, I’m going to give the album tracks some credit here.

Several of the more positive critical reviews have compared the feel of the CD to such Jackson classics as Control and The Velvet Rope, though I’ve read no review that suggest that this CD is as good as either of those. But, hey, the comparison is nice anyway, right? I’ve been rolling around listening to the CD on the Harman/Kardon, and I have found the album to be sexy, with the right blend of pop rhythms on some tracks, trance/dance rhythms on other tracks, fun lyrics when the music calls for it, and some lyrics much too sexual to blast from open car windows while sitting at a red light next to a car of church-going ladies. Oops …

What’s interesting is that this isn’t simply an innocent little pop album. There are a few very provocative tracks on the album. Having said that, there are also several tracks that stand out as being what I enjoy most about pop music in general (the simplicity with nice beats) and Janet Jackson in particular (sexy with her blend of naughty and sweet).

I’ve found “Can’t Be Good,” “Curtains,” “Rollercoaster,” “What’s UR Name” and my current personal favorite at the moment, “LUV,” to be rather easy to enjoy. There is even a Missy Elliott collaboration, though it’s not necessarily tops on my list — but I may have had higher expectations given that it’s Missy and Janet. The album also has Janet’s trademark verbal interludes, and quite a few are equally entertaining.

The most recent video release from the album is the song Rock With U. The track has that type of rhythm that will make it a dance club mix fave before too long.

It would seem that it would be great! to be Janet Jackson these past six months. October set off the fun when Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married shockingly debuted at No. 1 at the box office. The film featured Jackson in a somewhat rare screen role. Her involvement was no small matter: It gave the movie some additional buzz and publicity. Plus, her performance highlighted Jackson’s triple-threat credentials once again.

Janet Jackson is sick—but not in the good way.

The reigning chart queen was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center late Monday after coming down with a nasty—again, not in the good, patented Miss Jackson way—virus.

“She’s been battling this flu like everyone else,” Jackson’s rep, Patti Webster, told E! News, adding that the singer otherwise boasts a clean bill of health.

The 41-year-old has since been released, Webster said, but will not be appearing as the musical guest on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, as scheduled.

News of the singer’s trip to the sick bay was first reported by Us Weekly, which claimed Jackson was admitted after experiencing “shortness of breath.”

The ailment comes in the wake of some good news for the singer, whose new album, Discipline, debuted atop the Billboard album charts last week, her sixth disc to hit number one. She will tour later this year.

Not one for a lack of projects, Jackson also recently confirmed that she is in the process of cowriting a book about weight loss with her nutritionist, in which she will discuss her history of being an “emotional eater.”

The as-yet-untitled tome will include tips on a healthy approach to eating (feed a cold, hospitalize the flu?) and is due out by the end of the year.

We at Janetzone.net would love to say to Janet, that we love you and we hope you feel better soon! Get well soon Janet!!