Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri discuss marriage

Singer Janet Jackson,  and her rapper boyfriend  Jermaine Dupri reportedly held hands on their way into the New York premiere of  new movie 'Why Did I Get Married?', but according to People.com - Janet Jackson clearly stated, "We're not married."

Jackson, who plays a relationship expert in the new Tyler Perry film was quick to relay her personal history with the institution to People.com - and admit that she's wised up to the fact that it takes work.

She said: "I didn't really take anything from my personal marriages," Jackson said of her role. "But from experience, and even from doing this film, it makes me realize that marriage is definitely a work in progress ... But if it's something you really want and the love is there, you will put in the work in time."

Jackson married James DeBarge in 1984 and annulled the marriage 1985 - she then ied the knot with Rene Elizondo in 1991, which ended in divorce in 2000. "He's never been married," she said of Dupri, 35.

When People.com asked Dupri if he thought his relationship with Jackson was successful - he siaid:  "The altar is like a party for your marriage. That is how I look at it."

He added: "I don't think marriage itself even matters. I think people put too much importance on labels when it comes to marriage. Nothing changes when you go to the altar ... If you're with somebody, you're with somebody."

"You don't like being away from a person you like being with all the time. That's kind of hard," he said.