Justice For Janet
What's the best Super Bowl halftime show of all time?
Each year, around the Super Bowl, I’m reminded of Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 halftime show. You know what happened.
I was a kid at the time, but I remember the incident quite vividly. My family used to host a Super Bowl watch party every year, and we’d all gather around the TV for the halftime show. I can still picture a family friend’s shocked reaction to the incident — her eyes and mouth wide open in disbelief. It was definitely a shocking moment for many people, but what happened following the show, in my opinion, was far worse.
While Jackson bore the brunt of the criticism, Justin Timberlake’s stardom skyrocketed, despite him having an equal (or greater) hand in the mishap. Jackson was vilified, and Timberlake did nothing to de-escalate the situation.
Soon after the show, Jackson was disinvited to the Grammys, investigated by the FCC, and the album she released in March 2004 became her lowest-selling album in two decades. Meanwhile, Timberlake went on to win two Grammys the following week, and he saw music chart and sales success.
Who deserves the “blame” is obviously complicated. But it’s clear that Timberlake did everything he could to distance himself from the incident, and Jackson, in order to advance his own career — even if that came at the expense of Jackson’s career. He simply did not care.
Many people owe Jackson an apology. Last year, Timberlake FINALLY issued a vague and incredibly weak apology to Jackson (and Britney Spears, which is a story for another day). “I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism,” Timberlake wrote on Instagram. He never addressed what he was actually apologizing for.
Jackson recently addressed the controversy during her new documentary. She said, “Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends." Jackson also said that they’ve both “moved on” and that the “whole thing…was an accident that should not have happened, but everyone is looking for someone to blame and that's got to stop." There you have it.
See this INSIDER article for a full timeline of the incident and its aftermath.
Credit: Janet Jackson (Instagram)
In anticipation of this year’s halftime show, I revisited some of the recent shows. Here’s my take:
The Weeknd, 2021: Good, but forgettable.
Shakira & Jennifer Lopez, 2020: Shakira is a legend. Very good COVID opening ceremony.
Maroon 5, 2019: Flop.
Justin Timberlake, 2018: See above.
Lady Gaga, 2017: Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before…
Coldplay with Beyoncé & Bruno Mars, 2016: I like them all on their own, but it was sort of a mess all together. Beyoncé delivered one of the most memorable performances of all time.
Katy Perry, 2015: It’s the most-watched halftime show for a reason. Katy knows how to put on a performance, and she didn’t disappoint. Love left shark.
Bruno Mars, 2014: Good performer.
Beyoncé, 2013: One of the best performers and vocalists of all time.
Madonna, 2012: No comment.
What’s your take?
Prince? Best ever