Super Bowl LII had all the fun and fury before, during and after the historic first-time win of the Philadelphia Eagles who knocked off the New England Patriots 41-33 at the US Bank Stadium.
Prior to the game, Janet Jackson was trending via the hashtag #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay instead of Justin Timberlake who was headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.
This was another way of remembering 14 years ago when Janet Jackson’s career tumbled after headlining the show in 2004. Her special guest was none other than Justin Timberlake who literally had a hand in her fall.
Timberlake ripped off Janet Jackson’s costume exposing her nipple on live TV. They both apologized for the incident but Jackson’s career went downhill while Timberlake’s flourished despite his direct involvement in the infamous “wardrobe malfunction”.
Janet Jackson’s music and videos were banned by major television networks and radio stations. She was also blocked from performing at major events including the Grammys among others. She was also forced to resign from a planned Lena Horne miniseries at ABC, which Jackson was set to executive produce and headline as Horne.
The double standard exhibited by the entertainment industry was glaring but the world at the time did not acknowledge the harsh treatment meted out on Janet Jackson who has since not recovered.
Fans used the twitter hashtag to remember the incident and to call on Justin Timberlake to render another apology on stage or invite Janet Jackson for a duet. These didn’t happen.
Read the sentiments expressed by Twitter users who thought Janet Jackson needed to be appreciated.
Stoked to see JT perform the halftime show. Though to be fair, it would be even better if Janet Jackson were there. Ya know. To rip his shirt off and accidentally ruin his career. #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
— Briana Buckmaster (@OfficialBrianaB) February 4, 2018
TIL YOU DO RIGHT BY JANET, EVERYTHING YOU THINK ABOUT GONNA FAIL JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/ijk89Djvw0
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) February 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake totally disrespected & dismissed Prince when he was alive; yet, he includes footage of him in this halftime performance. This dude is the ultimate culture vulture and fake AF. #JanetsLegacyMatters #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) February 5, 2018
So, to add insult to injury, Justin Timberlake is performing Rock Your Body – the very song he performed when he exposed Janet Jackson’s breast. Disgusting. #TimesUp #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) February 5, 2018
Happy #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay ??????#GreatestLivingEntertainer #JanetJackson pic.twitter.com/RbG7ZheUrZ
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) February 4, 2018
Living for #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay. we love you Miss Jackson. It’s all for you. When we think of you nothing else seems to matter. Get us all together again in this Rhythm Nation. https://t.co/jJkXqSch3c
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) February 4, 2018
Just a reminder that Timberlake’s career did not suffer and Janet Jackson’s was derailed. #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
— Christine Nangle (@nanglish) February 5, 2018
Happy #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay! pic.twitter.com/c4ho1EN4wy
— BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) February 5, 2018
Apparently @MichaelRapaport doesn’t see the racism & misogyny at play when Justin Timberlake is allowed to return to the SB halftime stage while Janet Jackson was/is banned. Looks like he’s NOT as #woke as I thought he was.. #SelectiveVision #TimesUp #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) February 5, 2018
Somewhere in the world Janet Jackson is laughing at Justin’s performance #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Dw6zJrJzei
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) February 5, 2018
Thank you Ms. Janet for all that you’ve done for me and so many others. Your kindness, love and generosity is unmatched. I love you! ❤️#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/eB9exrPzwe
— Kyndall Harris (@kyndallharris) February 5, 2018
With her mother and brothers#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/NfC0cMwm0q
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) February 5, 2018