In 2004, we were all introduced to the term “wardrobe malfunction” after Justin Timberlake tore off a piece of Janet Jackson’s top during their Super Bowl halftime performance, exposing her breast.
The episode became one of the most widely discussed news stories of the year, Jackson and Timberlake issued public apologies, and the FCC attempted to penalize CBS for obscenity. In the aftermath of the incident, Jackson’s music was temporarily banned from MTV and select radio stations, and she was forbidden from attending the Grammy Awards that year.
Tom Brady, the Super Bowl MVP whose New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers and won the game, now believes that the halftime controversy was “good for the NFL” Brady said on his podcast, Let’s Go, that he was too focused on the game to pay attention to the halftime show at the time, stating, “We came off the field and that’s when Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had their wardrobe malfunction. And I was questioned about it.”
He continued, “I couldn’t even comprehend what they were saying. It took us some time to determine exactly what had occurred.”
Brady continued, “I think it was probably a good thing for the NFL in the end.” Because everyone was able to discuss it, it resulted in increased publicity for halftime entertainment.
He then remarked, “Is there such a thing as bad publicity?”
In the 19 years since “nipplegate,” halftime concerts have only increased in spectacle and have helped improve the Super Bowl’s profile, but Jackson may disagree with his assessment that this is good publicity.
The recent New York Times Presents documentary Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson examines the issue and its effects on Jackson’s career. The film is currently available on Hulu.
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