‘Nipplegate’ Revisited: The Truth Behind the Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake Incident

It's been over a decade since the infamous Super Bowl halftime show incident involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, but the controversy still lingers.

As Timberlake prepares to perform at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, questions about what really happened that day resurface.

In 2004, Timberlake and Jackson took the stage together, unaware of the scandal that was about to unfold.

During their performance, Timberlake accidentally exposed Jackson's right bre-st to a TV audience of 140 million viewers.

This incident, commonly referred to as “Nipplegate,” sparked widespread debate and speculation.

Many have wondered whether the wardrobe malfunction was planned or an accident.

Trevor Reilly, a linebacker for the New England Patriots, voiced this sentiment, asking, “Was that whole thing planned or not?

What's the consensus?”

However, neither Jackson nor Timberlake have provided a clear answer.

Jackson's publicist, Paula Witt, declined to comment on the matter, while Timberlake has expressed regret for the incident without divulging further details.

To uncover the truth, USA TODAY Sports reached out to key individuals involved in the halftime show.

Marcello Garzon, the Ecuadoran tailor responsible for altering Jackson's outfit, revealed little about the incident due to a confidentiality agreement he signed with Jackson.

He did, however, confirm that he met with her before the Super Bowl.

Jim Steeg, the former NFL executive in charge of the halftime show, recalled watching the performance from the league's command booth.

It was there that he was alerted by Mike Pereira, then vice president for officiating for the NFL, about the incident.

Steeg immediately contacted Salli Frattini, a producer for MTV, who was responsible for the halftime show production.

Frattini praised Timberlake for his handling of the situation but criticized Jackson for not addressing it adequately.

She also revealed that there was a meeting before the halftime show where an idea was pitched to Timberlake, possibly by Jackson or her stylist.

The original plan involved a reveal without nudity, but the eventual wardrobe malfunction was not intended.

Byriah Dailey, a body piercer, shared his interaction with Wayne Scot Lukas, who identified himself as Jackson's stylist.

Dailey claimed that Lukas visited his shop in Houston during Super Bowl week and purchased a n^pple shield for Jackson.

He also mentioned that Lukas hinted at a surprise during the halftime show.

Michael Powell, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), recalled the moment he realized the severity of the situation.

Powell watched the replay of the incident and confirmed that Jackson's bre-st had been exposed.

The FCC launched an investigation, but the courts later overturned the fine imposed on CBS, the broadcaster of the Super Bowl, citing insufficient notice of what constituted indecency.

As the 2018 Super Bowl approaches, questions about “Nipplegate” continue to arise.

Powell, like many others, remains uncertain about what truly happened.

While the evidence suggests that those producing the show might have known about the incident, there is still ambiguity surrounding the artists' involvement.

The truth behind “Nipplegate” may never be fully revealed, but it serves as a cautionary tale for future Super Bowl halftime shows.

The scandal not only impacted Jackson and Timberlake but also raised questions about the respect and integrity of the institution that is the Super Bowl.