In September 2009 , Janet Jackson performed " Scream " on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards as part of a medley tribute to Michael Jackson , who died three months earlier . MTV General Manager Stephen Friedman stated " t his is not something that just came together — we 've been in talks with Janet for a while ... We felt there was no one better than Janet to anchor it and send a really powerful message . " She worked with several world-renowned choreographers , including Dave Scott , Cris Judd , Brian Friedman , Wade Robson , Tyce Diorio , Travis Payne , Jeri Slaughter , Laurie Ann Gibson , Mia Michaels and Tina Landon , with her personal creative director , Gil Duldulao , coordinating the performance . Gil Kaufman of MTV commented " w earing a black-and-white , skintight leather dress with matching pants , Janet busted some of her and Michael 's signature moves , flawlessly re-creating her late brother 's steps as they were projected on the screen behind her . " Michael Slezak of '' Entertainment Weekly '' commented , " she worked that stage harder than an underpaid assistant doin ' overtime , and as tributes go , this was as energetic as it was heartfelt . " " Childhood " is a biographical reference to Jackson 's difficult years as a youngster , such as the relationship with his father Joseph and the pressures of being world-famous from such a young age as the lead singer of The Jackson 5 . From a young age , Jackson and his siblings were allegedly physically and emotionally abused by their father through incessant rehearsals , whippings and derogatory name calling . Jackson 's abuse as a child had affected him throughout his later life . In one altercation — later recalled by Marlon Jackson — Joseph held Michael Jackson upside down by one leg and " pummelled him over and over again with his hand , hitting him on his back and buttocks " . Joseph would allegedly often trip up or push his sons into walls . One night , while Jackson was asleep , Joseph climbed into his room through the bedroom window . Wearing a fright mask , he entered the room screaming and shouting . Joseph said he wanted to teach his children not to leave the window open when they went to sleep . For a number of years afterward , Jackson suffered nightmares about being kidnapped from his bedroom
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
Scream/Childhood