Janet Jackson revealed that she spoke to Justin Timberlake just once after the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” incident at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, advising him to remain silent. In part four of her new Lifetime documentary series Janet Jackson., recalls telling him “I don’t want any drama for you. They’re aiming this at me. If I was you I wouldn’t say anything.”
Jackson also said that Timberlake reached out to perform with her again at his 2018 performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. She said that while it would be nice, she didn’t want to have to relive the ordeal, and obliquely referenced her “history” with CBS. She also re-affirmed her friendship with Timberlake, saying they’ve “moved on.” Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Timberlake for comment.
In the documentary, Jackson’s sister Rebbie recalls how Jackson was crying immediately after the set was over; her brother Tito insists the whole thing was not premeditated. In the aftermath, Janet was disinvited from the Grammys, while Justin was nominated five times and scheduled to perform. Jermaine Dupri, her boyfriend and a member of the Grammys board, resigned in protest.
Another Janet Jackson documentary, Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson, aired on FX and Hulu last November, focusing on the incident at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Check out “Revisiting Poetic Justice, a Coming-of-Age Moment for Janet Jackson” on the Pitch.
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