Janet Jackson Sends Video Message as Maren Morris and Sheryl Crow Play 'Dancing With the Stars' Grammy Night

By Daniel Okafor

Janet Jackson sent a surprise video message to Jenna Dewan on 'Dancing With the Stars' Grammy night, hours after Dewan danced a jazz routine to Jackson's 2001 hit "All For You." The cameo landed even though Dewan got eliminated, which is either cruel timing or perfect television. You choose.

The episode's live soundtrack came from Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Brandy and Monica, all performing while contestants battled on the ballroom floor.

Who performed what?

Maren Morris revisited her song "The Middle" while Jenna Dewan and Tatyana Ali faced off in a cha cha. Sheryl Crow delivered her 1994 hit "All I Wanna Do" for a cha cha competition between Connor Wood and Maura Higgins. A 31-year-old song about drinking beer at noon, set to competitive ballroom. It works better than you'd think.

Brandy and Monica, who announced a joint Las Vegas residency yesterday, joined forces for their own hit, "The Boy Is Mine." The 1998 track (a duet, in case your R&B history is patchy) scored a rumba dance-off between Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech.

What did Janet Jackson say?

The pop star's message was warm, personal and longer than most elimination speeches. She addressed Dewan directly — a former backup tour dancer for Jackson — and recalled their shared history on the road.

"Hey Jenna, I am so excited. I cannot wait to watch you perform tonight, and you're performing to 'All For You?' I feel so honored," Jackson said. "I really do feel honored, though. I know you're going to do an incredible job. Weren't those such fun times we had back then in those days? During the All For You Tour. I miss you, I love you, I can't wait to see you tonight. Like I said, you're going to do an incredible job, I know it, and let's get together when I'm back in LA."

Dewan danced the routine with her pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy. The elimination followed anyway. Encouragement from an icon, then a pink slip; that's show business arithmetic.

Where does the season go next?

The Grammy night episode fits an established pattern. So far this season 'Dancing With the Stars' has dedicated an episode to Mariah Carey, paid homage to Dolly Parton, and featured a Heath Ledger tribute by Julia Stiles. The show has effectively become a jukebox with celebrity footwork attached.

With Brandy and Monica's Las Vegas residency now announced, don't be surprised if the duo's ballroom appearance doubles as a soft launch — one televised performance reaching a live audience days after tickets presumably go on sale.