Janet Jackson’s designer urges Justin Timberlake to reveal truth behind 2004 Super Bowl incident
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Justin Timberlake has been urged to tell the full story behind Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction, with the singer’s longtime fashion designer claiming the incident was not accidental.
Wayne Scot Lukas, who was directly involved in designing Jackson’s outfit, maintains that the ensemble was deliberately intended to reveal her during the performance. His account contradicts Jackson’s longstanding explanation that the incident was an accident.
Wayne Scot Lukas claims Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl outfit was designed for a chest reveal
Lukas appeared on 'TMZ Live' on Tuesday to discuss Timberlake’s upcoming four-part documentary series, scheduled for release on Apple TV in December. The infamous Super Bowl incident is expected to be a key part of the series.
However, Lukas claimed he was never approached to contribute, despite being at the centre of the controversy. Lukas also alleged that Timberlake had never apologized to him, claiming the incident seriously damaged his career.
He disputed the widely used description of the event as a wardrobe malfunction, insisting that the outfit had functioned exactly as intended. According to Lukas, the original plan was for Jackson to reveal her derriere during the performance.
However, the plan changed days before the show when the decision was made to reveal her breast instead, as the performance needed to be taken up a notch.
Lukas further claimed that the cameras were supposed to cut away and the screen was meant to go black immediately after Jackson's chest was revealed. However, that did not happen, and he blamed the producers for the failure.
Jackson, meanwhile, has maintained for years that the incident was entirely accidental and not an orchestrated stunt. Lukas acknowledged that he did not need an apology from Timberlake but believed the singer should tell the true version of what happened.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake addressed their friendship after the 2004 controversy
In 2022, Jackson addressed her relationship with Timberlake following their controversial Super Bowl performance. Speaking in a message recorded earlier that year in Miami for her two-night Lifetime and A&E documentary event, 'Janet.'
"Honestly, this whole thing was blown way out of proportion. 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 said.
Jackson also clarified that she and Timberlake remained close friends. "Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends," she said, adding that they had spoken just days earlier and had moved on from the incident.
In 2018, Timberlake addressed the controversy in an interview with Beats 1's Zane Lowe ahead of his Super Bowl LII halftime show appearance. He claimed he had taken time to make amends with Jackson, explaining that he valued their relationship and had struggled to navigate the situation at the time.
In February, Timberlake also issued a public apology to Jackson and Britney Spears following the release of 'Framing Britney Spears.' In his Instagram statement, he acknowledged benefiting from a system that condoned misogyny and racism and admitted that he had failed to speak up when he should have.
