Janet Jackson’s brothers have spoken out about Justin Timberlake’s apology to the singer for the infamous 2004 nipplegate controversy in an interview with SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live.
Asked what they thought about JT’s apology, the Jackson brothers thanked the singer for addressing the issue.
“I just want to thank Justin Timberlake,” Marlon Jackson said. “It takes a man to step up and do that so we do thank him for doing that.”
He added they would “like to move forward” past the “negativity.”
“It was nice that he did something like that because it kind of hurt Janet, you know, in the past,” Jackie Jackson said. “So for him to step up and say that, it means a whole lot.”
In case you missed the defining moment in pop culture history, pearls were clutched over a saucy halftime performance starring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, which culminated in JT removing Janet’s breast plate to reveal her nipple.
While the moment was blamed on a ‘wardrobe malfunction’, Janet copped the majority of the backlash while Justin seemed to get off scot-free, a double standard that has enraged fans ever since the incident first kicked off.
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CBS later copped a whopping US$550,000 as a result of the incident– the largest fine ever given to a broadcaster.
Back in February – a whopping 17 years after the fact – Justin Timberlake finally addressed the growing backlash and apologised to Janet, as well as ex-girlfriend Britney Spears.
He shared, “I’ve seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond. 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.
“I specifically want to apologise to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.”
“I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be part of and grow from.”
Timberlake continued, “The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men up for success. It’s designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this. Because of my ignorance, I didn’t recognise it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again.”
“I have not been perfect in navigating all of this throughout my career. I know this apology is a first step and doesn’t absolve the past. I want to take accountability for my own missteps in all of this as well as be part of a world that uplifts and supports.
He concluded, “I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people I love and have loved. I can do better and I will do better.”
The furore following the Super Bowl is set to be documented in a new series, created by the masterminds behind Framing Britney Spears.
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Watch Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl performance below:
