Janet Jackson’s longtime fashion designer has challenged the established account of the singer’s Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction”, claiming the outfit was designed to reveal her breast during the performance.
Wayne Scot Lukas said Justin Timberlake had an opportunity to give his version of events in an upcoming four-part documentary series, which is due to be released on AppleTV+ in December. Lukas said he was not asked to take part, despite being closely involved in Jackson’s outfit.
He said the incident was not accidental, arguing that describing it as a wardrobe malfunction was inaccurate. According to Lukas, the performance had been revised shortly beforehand to increase its impact.
Lukas said the original plan had been for Jackson to reveal her derrière and that he had a G-string prepared for that version of the costume. He claimed the decision was changed days before the show, with the intention of revealing her breast instead.
He further alleged that the cameras were meant to cut away and the screen was supposed to go black once the reveal happened. Lukas blamed producers for failing to carry out that part of the plan.
Jackson has maintained for years that the exposure was a complete accident and not an orchestrated stunt. Her account differs from Lukas’s recollection of what had been arranged for the performance.
Lukas also said Timberlake had never apologised to him and claimed the controversy seriously damaged his career. He said he did not require an apology, but believed Timberlake should tell what he considers to be the true version of events.
The documentary’s account of the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction is expected to become a central part of the series when it is released in December.
