JANET JACKSON: Blame Moonves and Timberlake

The New York Times documentary Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson found blame in Justin Timberlake and CBS executive Les Moonves for her downward career spiral.

Malfunction debuted Friday night on FX and is available to stream at FX on Hulu. The documentary highlighted the divergent paths of Timberlake and Janet Jackson, who was blacklisted for a so-called “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.

Janet’s stylist purchased the sunburst nipple shield the night before. Justin Timberlake arrived only 20-minutes before the halftime show. Then immediately met with Janet and her stylist. An MTV said in the documentary (quote) “There was a private conversation where someone thought this would be a good idea. And it backfired.”

Janet’s boob flashed on the TV screen for “9-16ths of a second.” The video clip replayed millions of times on cable because it was titillating.

Janet left the halftime stage in tears and fled the scene. While Timberlake bragged about giving the fans “something to talk about.”

Janet’s stylist told the New York Post the stunt was Justin’s idea. He wished to upstage an ex-girlfriend. Six months earlier, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna kissed Britney Spears.

Janet issued an apology the day after Super Bowl Sunday. Then another apology on video that Tuesda

CBS CEO Les Moonves demanded an in-person apology because he felt “publicly embarrassed.” Janet refused to “kiss the ring.” Her manager applauded that decision. Justin abided and was allowed to attend the Grammy Awards on CBS.

Justin won a Grammy and in his acceptance speech apologized for his role in Nipplegate. Ironically, Timberlake was added to Super Bowl halftime lineup with Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock because he was vanilla, “safe.”

His career continued to rise. Timberlake was invited back to the 2018 Super Bowl to be the solo halftime performer.

Also in 2018, Les Moonves was ousted from CBS for sexual misconduct. (The Hollywood Reporter)