It is now official that Justin Timberlake will be making a return to the Super Bowl stage after a 13-year hiatus which was not self-imposed but as a result of the infamous wardrobe malfunction incidence that occurred when he was performing with Janet Jackson.
His last appearance on the biggest stage in the country was in 2004, alongside Janet Jackson. Those that watched the performance back then would remember that the two superstars were singing “Rock Your Body” together.
But as Timberlake was belting out the lyrics of the song, he accidentally ripped a small portion of Jackson’s costume on live TV. That part happened to be a little piece of vinyl covering her breast, and when ripped open, Jackson’s breast was exposed to the whole wide world.
The incident which occurred during the halftime performance made the FCC instigate a five-second broadcast delay during forthcoming live performances.
At that time, it offended their fans and the American public, with many alleging that the incidence was not accidental but planned right from the onset.
But Jackson claimed that it was only the black vinyl portion of her outfit – which would still have left her mammary glands covered sufficiently – was meant to be torn off. Timberlake was quoted as saying that what occurred was a ‘wardrobe malfunction.’ Both music superstars apologized to the American public and their fans.
However, the incidental consequences were not the same for both of the singers. While Timberlake’s music career remained mostly unaffected, Jackson suffered by getting her songs blacklisted from several radio stations. She even received a restraining order not to attend the Grammys that same year.
But in a recent interview with a radio station, Timberlake talked about the mishap, and when he was asked whether or not he and Jackson had made peace, he replied in the affirmative. The question was thrown at Timberlake because he had not publicly apologized to Jackson for the mishap that appeared to have sent her music career on a downward spiral – though news making the rounds is that Jackson is currently on a music tour.
Last September, the US Weekly revealed that the Timberlake – a 10-time Grammy winner – was tying up the loose ends of a deal to feature the Super Bowl LII halftime show taking place in Minnesota. The artiste himself confirmed this the following month.
But as soon as the news that Timberlake will be returning to the Super Bowl broke over news outlets and social media, a hashtag began showing up everywhere online: #JusticeForJanet.
Timberlake has admitted that he stumbled through the entire episode, and although there is no way he could change what happened, all he – and Jackson – could do was to learn from it and move on with their lives.
With the former boy bander and “Man of the Woods” singer having settled their differences, no one knows what the future holds for the superstars, especially Jackson’s music career.
None of Janet Jackson’s representatives was available for comments.