Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction was allegedly planned, according to Wayne Scot Lukas, the costume designer who worked with the singer.
Lukas claims the outfit was altered two days before the Super Bowl XXXVIII half-time show in Houston, Texas, to allow Justin Timberlake to expose part of Jackson’s breast during their performance.
Jackson has consistently maintained that the exposure was accidental. Lukas’s account does not establish that the singer agreed to the change or knew what would happen on stage.
The incident took place on February 1, 2004, during the closing moments of the half-time performance. Timberlake joined Jackson to perform his song Rock Your Body, and pulled away part of her black bustier as the song ended.
Jackson’s right breast was exposed for a fraction of a second in front of a television audience estimated at more than 140 million viewers. The moment triggered widespread complaints, intense scrutiny and a debate over broadcasting standards in the United States.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Lukas disputed the description of the incident as a wardrobe malfunction, saying the clothing had been designed so that part of it could be removed.
“(Justin Timberlake) coined the term wardrobe malfunction, which blamed it on me,” he said.
Lukas claimed the original plan had involved Jackson briefly exposing part of her backside rather than her breast. He showed the outlet a G-string that he said was intended for that version of the performance.
He said the concept was later changed after discussions about making the show more provocative, with the outfit altered shortly before the broadcast.
“He never kind of made up with any of us,” Lukas said, referring to Timberlake.
“We all lost a lot of work. I had morals clauses in my contracts, I was losing jobs. I just had to stay quiet and supported my friend Janet, and I did.”
Lukas said the fallout affected both his career and Jackson’s, while questions continued over who was responsible for the exposure. He described the outfit as the “most functioning wardrobe in history” and said production decisions had left “Janet out hanging”.
Jackson faced professional repercussions after the performance, including the withdrawal of an invitation to attend the Grammy Awards later that month.
The incident also led to a lengthy dispute involving the US Federal Communications Commission and CBS, which broadcast the Super Bowl.
