Janet Jackson's new Lifetime and A&E documentary Janet has been giving fans incredible insights into the iconic pop star's life, but it's her comments on Justin Timberlake that have surprised them
the most. Timberlake and Jackson performed at the 2004 Super Bowl Half Time show, where Jackson's infamous “wardrobe malfunction” partially exposed her breast to the crowd and viewers at home.
Timberlake pretty much stepped away from the following controversy unscathed while Jackson received the world's censure. In recent years, the double standard has received more scrutiny and many have blamed Timberlake for not doing more to support Jackson. In the documentary, Jackson says she's let bygones be bygones.
“Honestly, this whole thing was blown way out of proportion,” she said in an interview for the doc. “And, of course, it was an accident that should not have happened, but everyone is looking for someone to blame and that's got to stop.”
She added, “Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends. We spoke just a few days ago. He and I have moved on, and it's time for everyone else to do the same.”
She also shared that at the time, Timberlake asked her if he should speak out publicly about the situation.
“We talked once and [Justin] said, ‘I don't know if I should come out and make a statement,’” Jackson recalled. “And I said, ‘Listen, I don't want any drama for you. They're aiming all of this at me.’ So I said, ‘If I were you, I wouldn't say anything.’”
This is a bit different from what Jackson told Oprah Winfrey in 2006, during an interview where she said that “all the emphasis was put on me” after the Super Bowl. When Winfrey asked if she felt like Timberlake had “left her hanging,” Jackson answered, “To a certain degree, yeah.”
Timberlake most recently spoke about the issue following the release of the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears, in which the singer came off looking badly for how he addressed his former relationship with Spears. He shared an Instagram statement addressing those mistakes and what happened with Jackson.
“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. “I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.”