Janet Jackson has a new Lifetime and A&E documentary premiering this later week. The four-hour presentation chronicles the singer’s life, family, music, of course, the infamous 2004 Super Bowl performance with Justin Timberlake that completely derailed her career.
Everyone remembers #nipplegate. What many might have forgotten, however, is when the trend-setting musician sat down with Oprah in 2006 to discuss the matter. It was one of the only times she’s ever spoken publicly about the incident.
During the interview, Jackson questioned why she had to apologize and bear the brunt of the criticisms while Timberlake, who was equally as culpable for the mishap, was more or less given a pass. She also called him out for not doing more when she was being slut shamed left and right, saying she considered him a friend and “certain things you just don’t do to friends.”
At the time the interview aired, people still weren’t ready to hear Jackson’s side of the story or consider the double standards she was trying to call attention to. Her career continued to flounder for years. But over 15 years later, they have a much different perspective on the matter, with many now agreeing with what she’s been saying all along. If you ask us, the interview is further proof that Janet–Miss Jackson, if you nasty–has always been one step ahead of the times.
Watch.
Related: If you’re nasty: 8 times Janet Jackson was a total badass
cuteguy
Queen Janet didn’t deserve the mistreatment and discrimination and misogyny. Cue in Justin with a lame ass response written by his publicist.
Bosch
Such a strange sociopolitical dynamic: guns all over the place, but god forbid people see a bit of boob.
BoylesqueBubble
I lost all respect for him when he performed the halftime show in 2018, and didn’t collaborate with much less invite her for that event. Anyone with one ounce of class would have done that for her, to make up for what had previously happened. She’s never fully recovered from that incident, and it was shitty how he handled it.
Jack
You’ll see in the documentary that he did contact her to do the Superbowl in 2018. Why the hell would she guest star in JT’s performance?
Ronbo
Entitled Boylesque-types don’t bother to substantiate their opinions… they don’t have to because they are gay and have suffered. They spent the first 60 years of their lives fighting for equality to bring about marriage equality and visibility. They earned our respect by loving, caring-for and burying our brothers and sisters when our government wouldn’t even acknowledge AIDS,
Oh, no, they didn’t? They stand on the shoulders of giants and pretend to be withered and wise from their trials? They don’t even bother to watch the documentary?
Before we push harsh judgment to create enemies, our community needs to educate the entitled ones.
BoylesqueBubble
@jack and @ronbo you didn’t need to be so mean spirited as I hadn’t yet the chance for see the documentary, so you decide to shred someone who is supportive of what happened to Janet. Says a lot more about you then it does me. Maybe some of us appreciate a class act like say Beyoncé who allowed Taylor Swift to finish her acceptance speech for an award, where Kanye West ruined it for her. Why would Timberlake have Janet on? I guess maybe it would have been a kind gesture after what she went through, while got away unscathed. You know, to be nice? But considering your answers as being so rude, and ageist (you’re also off on my age by 22 years) where my comment wasn’t mean, says a lot about you having to be an ass where not warranted. Nice job also attacking the people who in our community DID do something for the greater good. Unlike you.
powersthatbe
I’m so here for this. Long overdue.
Kangol2
Love her. She was publicly attacked and reviled for that stunt, while he got off with almost no criticism. The racial and gender politics were clear as day. You are still a goddess, Janet!
Paulie P
the fact that this many years later it is still being talked about is ridiculous. it was practiced. she knew it was happening. the garment was designed to be a tear away piece. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.. boom.
That said… she was treated unfairly as it was her breast exposed for a millisecond and he got no real blame. In Europe that is normal to see exposed body parts. The states are too quick to judge and to blame and this should have been the end of it years ago. Rehash it again and again. why?!
Cozmo2
People get over it. Is slut even a bad word
BigTX
Yea, the way she was thrown under the bus and Justin TimberFake got off Scot-free was just wrong! He did not support her and left a “friend” hanging. White privilege personified.
bachy
I dunno. Performing half-time at the Superbowl is like performing at an evangelical megachurch. I appreciate that more of the costume came off than expected, but who in their right mind would plan to have half their brassiere knocked off as “part of the act?” Even Madonna knew better than to go tIts-up at the Superbowl.
Know your audience. It’s the first rule of putting on a good show.
MISTERJETT
i don’t care what anyone says that Super Bowl stunt was planned by Janet and Justin. that’s why she had her nipple decorated. they both should have gotten punished for it but for some not really unknown reason, only she was. i really wasn’t offended by it, but i guess there are those prudes who were.