Justin Timberlake is facing backlash all over again for his 2004 Super Bowl halftime show with the legend Janet Jackson.
The controversial performance ended with Justin ripping off the pasty Janet was wearing. Justin did it at the exact moment his lyrics said, “I’ll have you naked by the end of this song” in “Rock Your Body.” Janet’s nipple was exposed to the entire world, and the incident has been deemed “nipplegate.” As a result, Janet was shunned by the entertainment industry for quite a while. For example, Justin went on to have a thriving career, winning Grammy’s while Janet was barely invited to award shows.
New York Times released a documentary about the ordeal earlier this month, which is why the conversation is being brought up again. The name of the documentary is called “Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson.” It’s a 69-minute project directed by Jodi Gomes.
As reported on Page Six, Janet’s former stylist Wayne Scot Lukas, who made the Super Bowl costume, told the publication Janet wants no part in the documentary. He said,
“She wants that documentary to go away. She didn’t ask for a ‘Free Janet’ documentary. She’s not interested.” He also said the singer asked her team to opt-out of it, and they did. A source told the outlet she’s tired of the narrative that the performance “ruined” her career. In 2019 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame.
Online users aren’t too happy with Justin, all over again. Take a look:
Look how Justin Timberlake was capitalizing off of Janet Jackson's misfortune pic.twitter.com/S8zIJ7GdBe
— greg the menace (@mistergeezy) February 14, 2021
Me hating Justin Timberlake all over again while watching this Janet Jackson Superbowl documentary pic.twitter.com/RJOzlBQu9X
— .Posh Spice. (@Courtdulce_) November 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/sowmyak/status/1461952553755811843?s=21
I'll always choose Janet Jackson over Justin Timberlake; she's a Jackson; she's royalty. #JusticeForJanet pic.twitter.com/U5zyYHXcwM
— 🕊️💞Dannie D💞🕊️ (@DannieD01) November 20, 2021
Earlier this year, Justin apologized to Janet. He said,
“I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed. I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be a part of and grow from.”
At the time, Janet seemingly reacted by thanking her fans for their support over the years. In the video, Janet said, “I’m so thankful for all of you being in my life. You’re so special to me, and I want to thank all of you for making Control number one once again. After 35 years, never in a million years would I think that this would happen. I really appreciate you, and I love you so, so much. Thank you.”
Janet has a documentary coming out in January with Lifetime and A&E where she’ll tell her side of things.