NFL Super Bowl Half-Time Show Wardrobe Malfunctions: From Janet Jackson to Justin Timberlake

As a cornerstone of American athletics for nearly six decades, the Super Bowl has etched countless memorable moments. Not to be overshadowed, several halftime show performances, evolving since Michael Jackson’s game-changing 1993 appearance have epitomized spectacle and induced conversation. Throughout its extensive history, there have also been instances of controversy. Today we shine a spotlight on wardrobe malfunctions.

Undeniably, the narrative around halftime show wardrobe mishaps is vastly dominated by the infamous incident from the 2004 Super Bowl involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. As we stand at the precipice of Super Bowl LVIII, it beckons us to revisit this controversial moment and explore whether there have been any other comparable incidents.

A look back at the infamous ‘Janetgate’ Super Bowl XXXVIII incident

Janet Jackson was the most searched term in 2005. However, this surge was primarily due to her infamous performance during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, where she shared the stage with Justin Timberlake. As their act progressed towards its crescendo, an unexpected event unfolded. Timberlake inadvertently tore a portion of Jackson’s attire leading to a fleeting exposure of her right breast.

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Over 140 million viewers watching at the time were taken aback by this unintentional wardrobe malfunction. Unfortunately, this incident overshadowed the entire show. Subsequently, this led to intense scrutiny and criticism for both artists in the days that followed. The incident provoked significant discomfort among NFL executives, including Jim Steeg who publicly expressed his ongoing unease about it.

“I was upset and I’m still upset about it,” said Steeg following the incident. Consequently, the NFL seems to have taken measures to ensure that such an event would never be repeated. Since then, there have fortunately been no further wardrobe malfunctions at halftime performances.

Even when Timberlake returned to perform at the Super Bowl in 2018, there were no wardrobe malfunctions to mar the event this time around. However, it is worth noting that this performance was not without its share of controversy. Critiques were directed at Timberlake for his duet with Prince’s hologram during his rendition of ‘I Would Die 4 U’.

This year, it will be Usher who takes the stage for the halftime show between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Let’s hope that this time around, no controversies arise.

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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.