Unfortunately for Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, their names will forever be bound thanks to the mishap that was their 2004 Super Bowl Half-Time Performance. Indeed, their “union” is cemented by the countless lawsuits, legislation, and media debate surrounding the now infamous “wardrobe malfunction”.
And while there remains an air of uncertainty about the pair’s personal friendship (both have made questionable comments about one another in the years since), it’s fair to say neither has been keen to associate again professionally for obvious reasons.
That changed recently, though, following the commencement of Timberlake’s ’20/20 Experience Tour’ this week.
The global trek, which set sail on Wednesday, pulled into New Jersey’s IZOD Center last night where it served up many a memorable moment – including JT’s cover of Jackson’s 1987 classic ‘Let’s Wait A While’.
A surprising pick, the track was performed as a sedge-way into ‘Until The End Of Time’. Peep footage after the jump…
As jarred as we still are by how untouched JT came out from the whole Super Bowl episode – especially in comparison to Janet (see: politics, sexism, and arguably racism), it was warming to see him pay homage to an icon. Indeed, Janet is a legend whose success narrative ultimately paved the way for the JT’s, the Usher’s, TLC’s, Ciara’s, and so many more. As such, we’re down with any celebration of that fact.
In specific regard to JT and Ms. Jackson; color us crazy, but we honestly feel the Super Bowl hoopla will not cease to “matter” until they take to the stage together again. With next year marking a decade since the drama, surely one award show on the calendar would prove a great window to reclaim the narrative and re-write it their own way…the right way? Just a thought.
Anyway…