Is there trouble brewing in Sin City for one of pop's reigning queens? Just hours before her highly anticipated opening night, reports are surfacing that the iconic Janet Jackson is facing a surprisingly sparse crowd for her latest Las Vegas residency. Sources confirm that a significant chunk – around 60%! – of the seats at the Resorts World Theatre were still up for grabs as Wednesday night's premiere loomed.
Now, this isn't Janet's first rodeo in Vegas. The "Together Again" megastar previously wrapped a successful, sold-out 10-show run at the same venue from December through January of this year. That's right, just a few months ago, the place was packed!
The Resorts World clearly saw the magic, bringing Janet, the legendary sister of the late King of Pop, back for a shorter engagement in February, which included Valentine's Day vibes, and then again this week for a six-show stint running from May 21st through May 31st. The hype was real, with the hotel proudly proclaiming her return on the heels of her acclaimed "Together Again Tour," promising fans a spectacular experience throughout 2025.
But the reality check seems to be hitting hard. With the big opening night just around the corner, a peek at the ticket sales on AXS reveals a sea of available seats in the 5,000-person capacity venue. And it's not just the premiere; the other dates don't appear to be significantly more packed. Ticket prices range from just over $50 to a hefty $444 per seat, catering to a wide range of budgets, yet the seats remain open.
For those dreaming of a personal moment with the "That's the Way Love Goes" songstress, it seems the VIP packages aren't offering a traditional meet-and-greet. However, shelling out for the higher tiers will get you orchestra seats and a photo opportunity on the hotel's swanky step and repeat, along with other perks.
The famed hotel on the Strip certainly rolled out the red carpet for Janet's return, emphasizing her status as "one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era." They proudly listed her accolades: five Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Oscar nomination, and a truckload of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. Her legacy is undeniable.
So, the million-dollar question is: why the struggle to fill seats this time around? Is it Vegas fatigue? Ticket prices? Or perhaps fans who caught her recent tour are holding back? It's a surprising turn of events for an artist of Janet Jackson's caliber.
Could this be a temporary blip, with walk-up sales and last-minute bookings filling those empty spots? Or is this a sign of a shifting landscape in the world of Vegas residencies? One thing's for sure: all eyes will be on those early show numbers to see how this residency unfolds.
