American singer Janet Jackson has made a surprising statement at the 51st annual American Music Awards, declaring that she does not consider herself to be a musical icon despite receiving the prestigious Icon award.

The 'That's The Way Love Goes' hitmaker made the humble admission during her acceptance speech at the ceremony held on May 26, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

"I don't consider myself to be an icon. My family, myself - our dreams were never to be famous. We weren't raised like that. We always had special love for music, dancing and singing," Jackson told the audience.

The singer, who is a member of the legendary Jackson family that included the late 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson, emphasized that fame was never their primary goal.

"Fame came with the result of hard work and dedication," she added, suggesting that the family's success was a byproduct of their passion and commitment to their craft rather than a pursuit of celebrity status.

The Jackson family, originally from Gary, Indiana, has produced several successful musicians, most notably the brothers who formed the Jackson 5. Many family members went on to achieve remarkable solo careers, with Michael and Janet becoming global superstars in their own right.

Janet's comments reflect the family's well-documented humble beginnings and their father Joe Jackson's strict approach to developing their musical talents, which ultimately led to their unprecedented success in the entertainment industry.

The Icon award recognizes artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry and have maintained enduring popularity throughout their careers - a description that many would argue perfectly fits Janet Jackson despite her modest self-assessment.