Wayne Scot Lukas, Janet Jackson’s longtime fashion designer, says the breast exposure during her 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance was planned as part of a costume reveal. In comments to TMZ Sports, he said the idea was to create a moment bigger than the kiss involving Britney Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.
Lukas said Jackson’s choreographer, whom he identified as Gill, called for a more attention-grabbing moment. He also alleged that MTV producers made the biggest mistake by not cutting to black after Justin Timberlake tore away part of Jackson’s top. Lukas said Jackson was expected to return beneath the stage afterward so he could cover her with clothes, but she did not come back down.
According to Lukas, Jackson was initially meant to wear a G-string and reveal her buttocks, but the plan changed two days before the game, prompting him to redesign the outfit. He said Timberlake has not apologized and that the incident cost him work, adding that he stayed quiet to support Jackson.
Lukas said he has not been asked to take part in Timberlake’s upcoming Apple TV docuseries about the incident. He wants Timberlake to tell the truth in the series, he said, though he added that he does not need an apology.
The day after the performance, Jackson apologized and said the costume reveal had been decided after final rehearsals, but that she had not intended for it to go as far as it did. She said MTV, CBS and the NFL had not known about the plan. The FCC later opened an investigation after receiving more than half a million complaints, and Jackson faced consequences including pressure to withdraw from the 2004 Grammy Awards.
In her 2022 Lifetime documentary, Jackson described the incident as an accident that had been blown out of proportion. She also said she and Timberlake had forgiven each other, moved on and remained good friends.
Sources: Page Six.