The accompanying music video for " The Pleasure Principle " was directed by Dominic Sena and premiered on MTV on June 1 , 1987 . Choreography was handled by Barry Lather . In the beginning of the video , Jackson enters a loft wearing only a T-shirt and jeans to practice her dancing . She gives a solo dance performance while singing about the pleasure principle . Elements of the choreography incorporate a chair and a microphone stand . At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards the video won for Best Choreography and was nominated for Best Female Video . While reviewing Jackson 's video album '' Rhythm Nation Compilation '' ( 1989 ) , Wendy Robinson from PopMatters commented that " this is the first video in which Jackson appears alone , with a sleek new hairdo and unleashing a repertoire of exciting new moves " , and Justin Joseph from Centric TV noted that the video was " probably more iconic than the song " , while describing its choreography as " so dynamic " . The video was already re-enacted by singers Mýa , Tinashe and Normani . Britney Spears referenced " The Pleasure Principle " video , as well as Jackson 's " Miss You Much " video for the chair routine in her " Stronger " music video , with the video 's director Joseph Kahn saying her idea was inspired by " Janet Jackson 's ' Pleasure Principle ' — the iconic chair sequence in that " . A review of the video commented " Ms. Spears gives us her best Janet Jackson impression ( ' Miss You Much ' ) with a dizzying chair-dance routine . " American singer Cassie was accused of copying " The Pleasure Principle " 's concept on her music video for " Me & U " ( 2006 ) , described as evoking Jackson 's " impromptu solo dance rehearsal " during the video 's mirror scenes . Cassie stated " I 'm a diehard Janet Jackson fan . A lot of people compare my video for ' Me & U ' to hers for ' Pleasure Principle ' . I was just rehearsing in the studio , they filmed me and the record label thought it would be great for the video . I 'd love to emulate her career . She 's incredible , from her moves to her voice . " Jackson has performed the song on most of her concert tours , excluding the Janet World Tour and the All for You Tour . The song was performed during a " frenzied " medley with " Control " , " Nasty " and " Throb " on The Velvet Rope Tour in 1998 . The medley at the October 11 , 1998 show in New York City , at the Madison Square Garden , was broadcast during a special titled '' The Velvet Rope : Live in Madison Square Garden '' by HBO . It was also added to the setlist at its DVD release , '' The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert '' in 1999
1988 MTV Video Music Awards
1988 MTV Video Music Awards
The Pleasure Principle (song)