After 14 years since the controversial incident where Justin Timberlake “accidentally” ripped off Janet Jackson’s bodice that revealed her breast, he is reportedly set to perform again in Super Bowl Halftime along with other popular musicians – Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Beyonce among others. NFL and NBC have reportedly announced that Super Bowl LII halftime will see Timberlake in his first appearance since that fateful incident occurred. The major ‘malfunction’ costed CBS a fortune and Jackson her entry to the NFL for a lifetime and even reportedly to the 46th Grammy awards.
However, his gig this time will surely remind music buffs of the controversies that swarmed the media and television after the “wardrobe malfunction” or “nipplegate” as the incident came to be called afterward, happened on national television.
Justin, who is a Grammy Award winner and has several hits to his credit, is being asked to apologize to Janet directly by Twitteratis now. The social media and its widened impact did not exist when the incident happened so the controversies could be wrapped up after the incident. But now with the unforgiving social media and its strong influence, it seems to be difficult for music buffs and Timberlake both to let go of the past.
The only thing I want out of @jtimberlake on the #SuperBowl stage is an apology for ruining @JanetJackson career. #Justintimberlake pic.twitter.com/EemiVAQNUz
— Dante Dcasso (@DanteDcasso) October 23, 2017
Unless Justin Timberlake starts his set by introducing Janet Jackson with an apology and then continues watching quietly while she does 12 minutes of her catalog solo, the Super Bowl can keep this halftime show.
— Crystal Methanny (@RafiDAngelo) October 23, 2017
Maybe not the best year to serve up more White/Black Double Standard and invite Justin Timberlake to Super Bowl while Janet Jackson’s banned pic.twitter.com/nHmFWQuJ4V
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) October 23, 2017
There are some others who have asked for #JusticeForJanet and as the championship event date comes closer, maybe the hashtag will even start trending on Twitter.
Please trend #JusticeForJanet. The NFL still hasn’t lifted the ban but Justin is free to perform its wrong and she deserves better.
— ً (@LuxxSOCIAL) October 23, 2017
“Justin needs to bring Janet out” NO! The NFL had her banned for over a decade & they’d lift it just to make HIM look good? #JusticeForJanet pic.twitter.com/0ocw87LZQC
— ً (@LuxxSOCIAL) October 23, 2017
Jackson, when she appeared for The Oprah Winfrey Show after the incident was quoted saying that the incident was “a very embarrassing moment” and “it was absurd” that the incident got so much attention. “I thought it was very crazy that there was so much emphasis put on this when we were at war, our troops were over there [in Iraq]. So much more important things were going on in the world and the focus was on my breast? That didn’t make any sense to me.” She further added in the interview: “I think they did put all the emphasis on me, as opposed to us.”
However, the pop singer said that she emerged stronger after what happened. “I didn’t break down about it. I realized I was much stronger than I thought I was.”
Timberlake has meanwhile commented in an interview about the “malfunction” :”That won’t happen this time.”
While speculations are abound if this will be a JT-JJ union, people also wonder why NFL did not dismiss Timberlake too, when they banned Jackson.
White male privilege is Justin Timberlake getting the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show while Janet Jackson is banned for life. #NotWatching
— Briaη 🏳️🌈 (@bridav7) October 23, 2017
Janet Jackson: banned. Justin Timberlake: welcome back. Look, guys, a guy getting to do what a woman can’t is just on brand for 2017, okay?
— Leanna Renee (@leannuh_renay) October 23, 2017
This Justin Timberlake situation is like textbook white privilege. Seriously.
— 🔮 (@CloseToRih) October 23, 2017
Photo Credits: Shutterstock.com
