Janet Jackson says she and Justin Timberlake are 'very good friends' in new doc
Janet Jackson opened up on where things stand between her and Justin Timberlake in a new documentary about her life.
The superstars were involved in the infamous 2004 Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" when Timberlake ripped off part of Jackson's outfit to expose part of her breast while they sang "Rock Your Body." This resulted in Jackson's career taking a hit while, as her fans have pointed out over the years, Timberlake emerged relatively unscathed.
The "That's the Way Love Goes" singer said she isn't angry and wants fans to move on.
"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 of the incident.
The five-time Grammy winner added, "Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends. We spoke just a few days ago. He and I have moved on, and it's time for everyone else to do the same."
Jackson had last discussed the moment on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2006, calling it "an accident."
Fans learned in the four-hour doc, which aired simultaneously on A&E and Lifetime across two nights this weekend, that Timberlake offered to speak out on Jackson's behalf in the aftermath of "Nipplegate," but she told him not to.
"We talked once and [Justin] said, 'I don't know if I should come out and make a statement,'" she recalled. "And I said, 'Listen, I don't want any drama for you. They're aiming all of this at me.' So I said, 'If I were you, I wouldn't say anything.'"
Jackson also revealed in the documentary that Timberlake asked her to perform with him when he headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2018, but she declined.
"When I think about it, would it be nice to be able to perform? Yes," the "Rhythm Nation" singer reflected on his invitation. "You know our family -- we love entertaining. But on the flip side of it, it's dredging up the past, reliving something that happened over 10 years ago."
Timberlake issued an apology last year to Jackson -- as well as his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears -- saying he was "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."
The former NSYNC singer added, "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 apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."
