Janet Jackson is celebrating her 55th birthday by giving back to those in need. The Rhythm Nation singer is set to auction off over 1,000 of her own personal items to donate the funds to children in need.
Fans of the five-time Grammy winner can currently see 20 pieces of exclusive, authentic memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square for a limited time, Pix11 reports. The mini-exhibit coincides with a three-day auction where 1,500 pieces from Jackson’s personal wardrobe and costumes will be sold to the highest bidder.
Hosted by Julien’s Auctions, the bids can be made in person at the three-day Beverly Hills event or live online. Memorabilia included in the collection include concert costumes, authenticated gold records, and outfits from some of her music videos. Fans can get a chance to get their hands on some of the singer’s most memorable looks including the metallic silver coat she wore in the 1995 Scream
music video with her brother Michael Jackson. Also included in the auction collection are Jackson’s custom-designed stage attire for her 1993-1995 Janet World Tour; the yellow two-piece suit she wore while performing Alright on The Jackson Family Honors TV special that aired in 1994, a tan bodysuit that she wore during the “Janet” Tour; and a floor-length black fur coat that Jackson wore while performing at the Essence Music Festival in 2010.The auction is expected to bring in around $2 million, BET reports. Items will be on display in Hard Rock’s front window display in Times Square from Monday, May 3 through Thursday, May 6. The auction begins on Friday, May 14, and closes on May 16. It also will take place online.
A portion of the auction proceeds will go to Compassion International, a global child-advocacy ministry that partners with churches around the world to release children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty.