An Ode to Janet Jackson
I’ve never been too interested in the Super Bowl itself, but I’ve always been interested in the halftime show. With the world’s eye on Janet Jackson following the release of her self-titled docuseries on Lifetime, I want to call specific attention to an event that occurred nearly twenty years ago, but is still of the utmost relevance. February 1st, 2004 is the date of the infamous Super Bowl halftime show in which Janet Jackson took center stage.
A few months ago while scrolling endlessly for something to watch, I came across The New York Times Presents on Hulu. I’d already watched episode six of the first season, “Framing Britney Spears,” about the pop star’s abusive conservatorship. I was quite impressed by the episode’s reporting style. When I discovered a newer episode titled, “Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson” I was curious to know how this event in particular was framed. As we know, the rules are different for Black women.
As the episode explains, Janet Jackson was set to headline the Super Bowl Halftime show in 2004. Towards the end of the performance surprise guest Justin Timberlake ripped off a piece of her costume, exposing one of her nipples for about two seconds. Despite the fact that her clothing was removed by Timberlake, Jackson was immediately put on trial for exposing her naked breast. “Nipplegate,” as it came to be known by the American public, was the headline on nearly every media outlet in the United States. Timberlake issued an apology the same night claiming that the “wardrobe malfunction” was unintentional.
The next day Jackson released her own apology. Shortly after, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began an investigation into the malfunction after receiving thousands of complaints. Jackson’s team announced that she would not appear at the 46th Grammy Awards which were to take place seven days later on February 8th, 2004, after being uninvited. Timberlake, however, did attend the Grammys and won multiple awards.
Jackson released her album Damita Jo on March 30th, 2004, her lowest selling project in twenty years. Her music and visuals were censored and her name was slandered. Timberlake continued making public appearances and even made jokes about the performance being “every man’s dream.”
Unfortunately this blatant display of misogyny, sexism and racism is a common occurrence for Black women, especially entertainers. While we live in an age where female rappers and singers can regularly release anthems celebrating their sexuality and stating their desires, these women still face considerable backlash that reflects our society’s anti-Black and anti-Black woman sentiments. Black women are publicly crucified when their objectification appears as a “wardrobe malfunction,” or when they are choosing to express sexual liberation and personal power on their own terms.
Janet Jackson did not deserve the cruelty she received after the 2004 halftime show. Timberlake, a white man whose entire career has profited off Black talent, Black production, Black beats and sounds, Black creativity, Black life─more or less escaped the situation without accepting any personal accountability. It is a timeless example of the double standard between Black women and men not only in the music industry, but also in nearly every social realm. Black women are not protected in this world, especially when it comes to sexualization and objectification.
Malfunction notwithstanding, Jackson has been a pioneer in the music industry for celebrating Black female sexuality and liberation. She was and still is one of the world’s renowned pop stars before the 2004 Super Bowl. With albums such Janet, Control, and Damita Jo─which was released post halftime show─Jackson is known for expressing and celebrating sexual desire. Her performances combine intense, sensual choreography with strong, powerful vocals, and to say that nearly every one of today’s pop sensations have been influenced by her career would be an understatement. Janet Jackson is the blueprint, and we cannot forget what she endured as we continue to actively celebrate our own sexualities.
References
New York Times Doc on Janet Jackson's Super Bowl scandal leaves questions unanswered. (2021, November 19). NPR.org.
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/19/1056562889/new-york-times-fx-documentary-janet-jackson-justin-timberlake-super-bowl
Renfro, K., & Frazier, C. (2022, January 30). An essential timeline of the fallout from Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl halftime show. Insider.
https://www.insider.com/justin-timberlake-janet-jackson-super-bowl-incident-timeline#march-22-2004-jacksons-new-album-debuted-and-it-was-the-lowest-selling-album-she-had-made-since-1984-15
