Janet Jackson poses backstage during an appearance on MTV's 'Total Request Live', in this Feb. 26, 2008, file photo in New York. [Agencies]

Janet Jackson has dropped out of her upcoming "Saturday Night Live" performance because she has the flu, the singer's representative said Tuesday.

"Janet did go to the hospital last night due to the fact she's been suffering from this flu that's kicked a lot of people's behinds," publicist Patti Webster told The Associated Press in an e-mail. "She was never admitted and she is fine."

Still, Webster said Jackson — who visited a Los Angeles hospital — was pulling out of the March 15 "SNL" telecast because "she needs some time to get better."

"SNL" spokesman Marc Liepis said he did not know what music act will replace Jackson.

Jackson, 41, was scheduled to perform live Saturday night in support of her latest album, "Discipline," which was released last month.

(China Daily/Agencies March 12, 2008)