Known for her provocative lyrics and cutting edge dance moves on elaborate concert stages around the world - not to mention that she is part of the Jackson brood; Ms Jackson is spreading her wings in Tyler Perry's/Lions Gate's Why Did I Get Married? Having been married twice, Janet chuckles at the question and professes that she is not an expert on the topic.

Set during a couples retreat in Colorado, Why Did I Get Married? also stars Tyler Perry, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Sharon Leal, Richard T. Jones, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker and Denise Boutte. These four couples, plus one, converge on a sleepy town for their annual retreat. Secrets are exposed with life-altering consequences. Janet plays Patricia, a popular psychologist and best-selling author dealing with her own demons being married to her husband, played by Malik Yoba.

Urban Network's VP and Managing Editor Tosha Y. Thomas recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Janet to talk about why she chose to do Why Did I Get Married?, past relationships, her career and her future endeavors.

TT: How did you prepare for such an emotional role? You are very shy off stage and you really had to go "there" in a few scenes.

JJ: First of all I have to say it is so nice to come across someone who talks softer than I do because people always tease me about that and I can so hear you. And you are so cute, you look so much like my niece Autumn; my brother Jermaine's daughter.

TT: Now you have me blushing, but thank you.

JJ: So…I really didn't have much time at all. Literally we were still trying to work out a contract once I decided to do the film. We didn't know if it was going to be something doable because I was rehearsing for a performance and that meant I had to move everything around. We were still moving forward with fittings and things like that. It was really no time. I came for a table read and maybe 3 or 4 days later the contract was done and we shot the first scene. So there wasn't any preparation and I just did the best that I could. I pulled from past emotional experiences with that scene with Malik. One of my babies [a favorite pet] that passed on is still in my heart and to this day still brings something out of me when I see photographs of the two of us.

As for the cast, I thank God for the connection of friends in this movie. That was instant when we first got together for the table read. We didn't even have rehearsals. We had to bond so quickly and it had to seem so real. Tyler was so adamant about that. The girls and I would get together at the hotel we were staying at and just start talking; really getting to know each other. Maybe the connection I have with my brothers and sisters helped me play that part as well.

TT: In one scene when the ‘other' woman comes to the retreat, your character is very analytical and reserved in her opinion. Would Janet be that calm in the same scenario?

JJ: Umm. I think to a certain degree we are all judgmental. I don't think its right and I try not to be that way. We just talked about Britney [Spears] and everything she is going through. We aren't in her shoes so we really don't know what she is really going through; but I think I would be the same way I was in the movie. We don't know [their] story in the movie at the time Trina (Denise Boutte) and Mike (Richard T. Jones) appear. There are two sides to every story. That is something that I am always saying to my friends. Even when I need to talk about something that's weighing heavily on me; I will say this is my side. They may see it from a whole different perspective and point of view.

TT: What character did you identify with the most in this movie if not your own?

JJ: I saw some of myself in Patricia. I did a lot of what she did in the past. I learned that it's a major mistake to run away from my problems and not wanting to face the issues. That's what Velvet Rope was about. I saw a great deal of myself in Jill's character (Shelia), too. From her self-esteem issues, blaming herself, going through a divorce, being cheated on, and the name calling; I went through all of that. The way Jill played it; I thought she was absolutely wonderful. I really did see a lot of myself in Sheila.

TT: It is no secret that Tyler has received flack about some of his other movies and plays for being stereotypical. Recently he said that this is the best movie he has ever made. With that being said, why did you choose to work with him now on this movie?

JJ: We tried to get together and he wanted me to work on another project. I can't remember the reason why it didn't happen, but obviously it wasn't meant to happen. I just loved this script when I read it. I loved the topic and I can relate to a lot of things in this movie and not just Patricia. I fell in love with the story. I loved that they were all well-off and that they were Black and had met in college and were so close and took these vacations together. There was something that they all were going through and yet they weren't giving up, giving in and calling it quits. They were working through it; willing to do it and doing it. Not just talking about it, but actually doing it. I loved all of that. This was my opportunity to finally work with Tyler.

TT: If you could go on a retreat or even have dinner with 4 people or couples like you did in the movie living or dead who would they be?

JJ: Jesus. I have so many questions for Him.

TT: What would you ask Jesus?

JJ: (laughing) Don't you even ask me that! That's my moment. But seriously, Jesus would be one. I am so angry and so upset with myself that I did not get closer to Coretta Scott King when she was around. Hmm. I would have to think about the last two.

TT: On the music side of things, you have been known for your provocative lyrics. Do you feel like you have pushed that envelope as far as it could go or as far as you want to push it, or is this new project going to be ‘Janet did it again'?

JJ: That side will always be a part of me. It has to be a part of it. This album will definitely be different. It's definitely a different feel, but it still has to be a part of me or I wouldn't be able to do it.
The biggest change right now is that I'm not working with Jimmy [Jam] and Terry [Lewis]. Our lives have taken these turns. It's a new chapter. Not to say that we will never work again together, but as of right now we aren't doing anything together on this album. I am working with Ne-Yo, creating with him and Rodney [Jerkins] and creating again with Jermaine.

TT: There is a little time between this movie and the release of your next album; is there any talk of possible doing a Jackson Family Tour?

JJ: Believe me I would love to! I have been really pushing for that to happen, but it gets a little difficult trying to get everyone together. I would love to see that happen more than anybody. I am my brothers' biggest fan and I can say that and I am for my brothers getting together! I don't know…we'll see. We all have a lot going on; I am in the middle of writing a book about my journey through my weight issues and nutrition. All the things I went through, where it took me and how I got there and what I didn't to get myself through those different and difficult times.

TT: Are going to tour with this next album? Speculation has been that because of sales of 20 Y.O. there wasn't a tour.

JJ: It wasn't even about sales and I know a lot of people think that. At the end of the day it was still a platinum album. I got with a new record label and when I was rehearsing for the show in the Bahamas (the opening of the Atlantis Resort); I was actually rehearsing for the tour at the same time. The new record label I got with asked me if I would consider not doing a tour and going back in the studio and making another album for them as soon as I finished the performance and then going back out on tour. So that's why there wasn't a tour and no one really knows that.

TT: Thank you for that exclusive!