The New York Times’ latest documentary detailed the incidents leading to the infamous nipple scandal and its subsequent fallout during the 2004 Superbowl halftime show with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson. It also fueled the hashtag #JusticeForJanet on Twitter– after the series never held Timberlake’s feet to the fire while network execs continued to deny any involvement in the scandal.
Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson premiered on Hulu and FX on Friday night. The documentary appeared to reignite some unresolved feelings towards Timberlake by Jackson’s fans regarding the white singer’s rise after Jackson’s career crashed and burned.
“The term ‘wardrobe malfunction’ has been burned into our cultural consciousness.” FX & The New York Times Presents | Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson premieres Friday 11/19 at 10PM on FX. Stream on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/rFl4gwq1iN
— FX Documentaries (@FXDocs) November 17, 2021
Even though Timberlake may want to forget his trash antics– fans on Twitter reminded the “Cry Me A River” singer that all is not forgiven for passing the buck of blame to the “All For You” artist.
When Justin Timberlake capitalized Janet Jackson’s misfortune #JusticeforJanet #JanetDoc pic.twitter.com/RSjtQasOtR
— OMAR ARNOLD ♛ |✊🏻✊🏿| ♛ (@Omar_777_) November 20, 2021
Let me calm down & go to bed. That damn documentary upset me all over again. Especially the part about Janet crying afterwards while Justin reveled in dancing close to Janet & “giving people something to talk about.” Kiss my ass! #JusticeForJanet
— ☯️ Twisted Elegance ♐️ (@LaShandaWebb) November 20, 2021
This was one of the moments that could’ve and SHOULD’VE been included in the Janet Jackson doc.
Justin Timberlake got off the hook.#JusticeForJanet https://t.co/4aF8Xr9fU8
— 𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 🖤💎 (@JakobLovesJanet) November 20, 2021
Fuck Justin! Today, tomorrow, and everyday after that! #JusticeForJanet https://t.co/diCnnLCzlU
— Doniel🎄😮💨 (@thiccntired93) November 21, 2021
This is the truth if @JanetJackson was white and @jtimberlake was black it would’ve went another route! #JusticeforJanet #JANETDOC https://t.co/dMXpH1B5ys
— Cam Rose (@CamRoc91) November 19, 2021
As a Dj I purposefully never play @jtimberlake because he’s a punk bitch and left @JanetJackson to hang out to dry. #justiceforjanet pic.twitter.com/CcBhOSFS9d
— JaMEs 🎧 (@JamesDixon2011) November 20, 2021
One Twitter user, @mzshannon, dropped receipts in a Twitter thread that alleged the networks and Timberlake were fully aware of what was going down on that fateful night.
LET’S CLOCK BACK IN — A THREAD OF RECEIPTS (previously tweeted thread by @mzshannon in Oct 2017, account was suspiciously suspended 😒) #JusticeForJanet #JanetDoc #JanetJackson pic.twitter.com/yEuxf5AC0x
— 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔬𝔫 𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔤𝔞 (@mzshannonn) November 4, 2021
Some 14 years later, Timberlake apologized regarding the incident, Sister2Sister reported.
“I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism,” he said.
The Black delegation still doesn’t forgive him.
