Eve Recalls Janet Jackson ‘Saved My Life’ At 2007 VMA After Party
While Janet Jackson may be making headlines regarding her comments on Vice President Kamala Harris, rapper-actress Eve has shared positive reflections about the singer in her new memoir.
In the wake of Eve’s book Who’s That Girl?, readers discovered intriguing details about the Philadelphia native. She revealed that Jay-Z once offered her a pep talk after her debut album, her stint as a stripper was very brief, and she fought to ensure her collaboration with Gwen Stefani on Let Me Blow Ya Mind was recognized by music executives.
A segment from Who’s That Girl? recently circulated on social media, in which Eve recounted a moment during a 2007 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty when Jackson came to her aid after her drink was spiked. Missy Elliott also provided support during the incident.
“Missy came in to check on me, but I was just unable to collect myself. Then who walks in, Janet Jackson,” Eve wrote. “I had never met her before, and so her first introduction to me was seeing me hysterical. None of that mattered to Janet; she actually just sprang into action and told people to get aspirin, water, hot sauce, and a piece of white bread. That concoction knocked me right out of my hysteria. So basically Janet Jackson saved my life.”
It’s worth noting that the mental health and addiction organization Sandstone Care advises against allowing a victim to consume anything after being drugged. However, Jackson’s remedy was effective enough for Eve.
Eve recounted this same event on a 2018 episode of The Talk, explaining that she started feeling “crazy” and disoriented about an hour after she had a drink. “I heard this really soft voice that’s like, ‘It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll take care of it.’ And, I’m snot crying. And, I turn around and it’s Janet Jackson,” she shared in the clip.
Recently, Nicki Minaj expressed her admiration for Eve. In a heartfelt message, she acknowledged Eve for being a “trendsetter” and commended her “groundbreaking” level of “emotional and spiritual maturity” throughout her career.
Eve has been actively promoting her memoir and revealed that she began therapy after learning in 2016 that Minaj would be joining the cast of Barbershop: The Next Cut, which seemingly prompted a response from Minaj.
“Dear Eve, The various things you’ve shared recently are groundbreaking (in my opinion) for so many reasons,” she wrote in her message on X. “First, thank you. The level of grace; the level of emotional & spiritual maturity it takes to be this vulnerable & transparent is a sign of TRUE peace, happiness, fulfillment, & mastery of self. Self-reflection @ its height. I always say that I think accountability is the sexiest trait a person can have. I was one of the kids in NY watching Ruff Ryderz on TV.”
Though they have never collaborated musically, Minaj reminisced about their time on the set of Barbershop and how they connected amid the pressure women often face to compete. In a 2016 interview with Larry King, Eve described Nicki as a “good addition to the cast.”
“I was so nervous coming onto that movie set every day,” Minaj recalled in her tweet. “You looked like a pro & I admired that so much. Thank you for trying to not do to me what was done to you. Women feel so much pressure to compete & it’s a shame b/c we usually have so much in common & could really benefit from one another just as human beings. We all share so many of the same experiences as artists, wives, moms, ups & downs, anxiety, etc. I remember telling a friend of mine that I didn’t think you liked me after our first day on set together.”
