NEED TO KNOW
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Janet Jackson gave a rare look into her experience with motherhood as she celebrated her son Eissa Al Mana’s 9th birthday
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She shared an Instagram post on Saturday, Jan. 3 of the young boy’s video game-themed birthday cake
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Jackson welcomed Eissa in 2017 with ex-husband, Wissam Al Mana
Janet Jackson is showering her son with love on his special day.
The singer, 59, gave a rare look into her experience as a mom as she celebrated her son Eissa Al Mana’s 9th birthday.
The proud mom showed off her son’s video game-themed birthday cake in an Instagram post on Saturday, Jan. 3, writing, “To my beautiful heart and soul, may God continue to bless you and keep you close ALWAYS. Happy Birthday Baby 😘😘😘.”
The preteen’s cake was a red and black PlayStation controller decorated with an Astro Bot video game and a figurine of the titular character. Surrounding the cake were edible decorations, including more video games, such as Minecraft and Astro’s Playroom, and letters spelling out “Happy 9th Birthday.”
janetjackson/Instagram
Eissa’s birthday cake
The cake had nine tall blue candles and Eissa’s name on the top.
Several people in the comments shared birthday messages for the young boy, including actress Tasha Smith, who wrote, “Happy birthday Eissa!”
Jackson welcomed Eissa in 2017 at age 50 with ex-husband, Wissam Al Mana.
While the “Unbreakable” singer tends to keep her son out of the public eye, she occasionally gives insight into her life as a mom. She described motherhood as the “most important thing I’ve done” in a September 2024 interview with The Guardian.
“The most important thing I’ve done, the biggest thing I’ve done, is become a mother, and it’s had a beautiful impact on my life,” Jackson said in the interview.
“I wanted to have three children, but thought, ‘I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.’ Because you have to give all of yourself,” she added. ”Obviously, you have to work, but you don’t come first any more. Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
A few months earlier, in July 2024, the pop legend told BBC that being a mom “is the most beautiful thing.”
BBC reported that Eissa was with Jackson at her New York City stop for her Together Again Tour with Nelly. The young boy was “standing proudly at the side of the stage wearing ear defenders,” per the outlet.
Denise Truscello/WireImage
Janet Jackson
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During a 2023 appearance on Today with Sheinelle Jones, Jackson said being a “mama” is the title that gives her “the greatest gratification.”
When asked about what she enjoys most about the experience, she said, “Everything. Every — when they’re tired. When you need a break. I just love it all. I love it all.”
Read the original article on People