Posted June 23, 2008

Janet Jackson and boyfriend Jermaine Dupri have gone public with their intention to start a family together. Producer Dupri was at a dinner party Sunday hosted by New Era and Belvedere Vodka at West Hollywood's STK restaurant. When asked about he and Janet's baby plans, he replied:

"Yeah, soon," according to People magazine. "Right after the tour." Jackson recently announced she'll be on the road this fall. The 42-year-old pop icon, who has been married and divorced twice, once quipped that she was "allergic to marriage."

Dupri is reportedly so excited to procreate with Jackson, he doesn't care if it's a boy or a girl.

"It really doesn't matter," he explained at the event, which honored rapper Nelly. "Janet would be a great mom. She was around so many brothers and sisters all her life, so she's got to know what that is [like]. And her mom is a great mother." The producer has a daughter, Shaniah, from a previous relationship.

In other Jackson news, Janet is joining 25/7 Productions to develop a reality show for MTV. The as-yet-untitled series will be a music competition, reports Variety.

The show, which has already begun casting, will feature Jackson mentoring a group of aspiring singers and dancers in the months leading up to her world tour, which launches in September.

"It's really about finding who's the next Janet Jackson or Justin Timberlake or Usher," executive producer Dave Broome tells Variety. "And we'll find it from a pool of people who you wouldn't typically find it from. We'll go to YMCAs, church groups, local community centers and try to cast the show."

Though producers have not confirmed the final winner's prize, it could potentially relate to Jackson's upcoming tour.