Janet Jackson’s former stylist Wayne Scot Lukas is urging her to stay away from Justin Timberlake’s reported new documentary, questioning why she would revisit the Super Bowl controversy in a project about her former collaborator.
Lukas, who worked on Jackson’s outfit for the halftime performance, made the comments in an interview published November 8th.
Variety reports that Fisher Stevens is directing a four-part Apple TV series expected in December. Its sources said the project would also address comments by Timberlake’s former girlfriend Britney Spears.
Jackson’s participation was attributed to one unnamed source. Representatives for her, Timberlake and Apple had no comment or did not respond to the publication, leaving her involvement publicly unconfirmed.
Lukas Says the “Wardrobe Malfunction” Label Cost Him Work
“I think she was treated dirty during this,” Lukas told Page Six, explaining his objections to Jackson taking part.
He also described consequences for his own career. Lukas said being associated with the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” damaged his professional reputation and made employers reluctant to hire him.
The stylist recalled being interviewed for Jackson’s 2022 Lifetime documentary and wanting to discuss the incident in detail. He claimed she asked him to leave that subject to her because she intended to address it herself.
Lukas has also said Timberlake never personally apologized to him for the fallout.
Lukas Claims a Planned Camera Cut Never Happened
During a November 3rd appearance on TMZ Live, Lukas said the original costume concept changed shortly before the show. He maintained that the revised outfit functioned as designed.
He claimed cameras were supposed to cut away and the screen go black immediately after the costume reveal. He blamed the production team for leaving the moment on air.
He subsequently told Page Six that Timberlake had rehearsed the moment several times before they went on air.
The production claims remain disputed. As NME reported in 2021, former MTV executive Salli Frattini rejected his earlier account of a missed cutaway, calling it a false statement. Her response predates his latest interviews.
What Happened During the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show
The February 1st, 2004, halftime performance in Houston ended with Jackson and Timberlake singing “Rock Your Body.” During its final moments, he pulled away part of her costume, briefly exposing her on live television.
Jackson acknowledged afterward that a costume reveal had been added after final rehearsals. Her representative said a red lace underlayer was supposed to remain in place, as ABC News reported at the time.
Jackson Said She and Timberlake Had Moved On
In her January 2022 documentary on Lifetime and A&E, Jackson called the exposure an accident and said she and Timberlake remained close friends. She said they had spoken days earlier and urged others to move on, as Good Morning America reported.
Jackson also recalled advising him against issuing a statement in 2004 because she wanted to spare him further criticism. She had declined his invitation to join his 2018 Super Bowl performance.
Timberlake publicly apologized to Jackson and Spears in February 2021, acknowledging his conduct, his failures to speak up and his benefit from an industry that treated women unfairly.