This Janet Jackson Interview With Oprah Proves Justin Timberlake's Apology Was Long Overdue

One week after the Framing Britney Spears documentary was released, Justin Timberlake extended a long overdue apology to the pop star, as well as to Janet Jackson.

Beyond his abysmal treatment of Spears following their highly publicized breakup in 2002, fans have also been looking back at his silence in the wake of Jackson and Timberlake's controversial 2004 Super Bowl halftime show performance. During their act Timberlake ripped off a part of Jackson's costume, exposing her breast. This was partially planned: Timberlake was meant to rip off part of her top, revealing another layer underneath. Unfortunately, he removed the entire thing. 

If you don't remember, this was a huge deal and Jackson took on almost all of the responsibility. She was forced to apologize for an error that wasn't her own, was disinvited to the Grammys, and blacklisted by most of the music industry. While Timberlake was the one who did the ripping, he received very little backlash for his role in the blunder, performed at the Grammys the following week, and eventually was given his own halftime show spot in 2018.

Janet Jackson gave one official television interview on the subject to Winfrey in 2006—two full years later—and what she had to say proves just why Timberlake owed her a public apology a long time ago.

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After Jackson explained why she regretted apologizing for the incident (you know, because she didn't do anything), Winfrey straight up asked the pop sensation whether she felt that Justin Timberlake left her hanging. 

“All the emphasis was put on me. Not on Justin,” she said, seemingly trying to stay as diplomatic as possible. “Justin…We were friends. And not that we, we aren't…we haven't spoken, but I consider him a friend, and I'm very loyal, and friendship is very important.”