The controversy surrounding the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show may soon be revisited, this time with Janet Jackson reportedly appearing in a documentary about Justin Timberlake. More than two decades after their performance became one of television's most notorious moments, both artists are expected to reexamine the incident in a new project that also addresses Timberlake's complicated history with Britney Spears.
Three sources confirmed to Variety that Timberlake is preparing a four-part docuseries for Apple TV, reportedly set for a December release. One insider said Jackson will be featured discussing the infamous incident, while another said Timberlake will address some of Spears's recent comments. Fisher Stevens is directing the project, but its title and exact premiere date haven't been revealed. Representatives for Timberlake, Jackson, and Apple either declined to comment or didn't respond to requests for confirmation. It's also unclear whether Jackson recorded a new interview specifically for the series.
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Justin Timberlake's History With Janet Jackson And Britney Spears
Jackson and Timberlake's 2004 performance became a national controversy after he pulled away a section of her costume, briefly exposing her breast during the live broadcast. The fallout was particularly damaging to Jackson, who faced intense criticism and professional consequences, while Timberlake's career continued to flourish. He eventually apologized publicly to Jackson in 2021, acknowledging that he'd benefited from an entertainment industry that tolerated misogyny and racism. His statement also included an apology to Spears.
Interestingly, Jackson has already addressed the controversy on her own terms. During her 2022 Lifetime and A&E documentary, Janet Jackson, she described the incident as an accident that had been blown out of proportion. "Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends," she explained, adding that she'd encouraged him not to make a public statement when the backlash first erupted. She also expressed frustration that people kept assigning blame after they'd personally moved forward.
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Timberlake's relationship with Spears has faced renewed scrutiny, particularly since the release of her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me. In the book, Spears revealed that she underwent an abortion during their relationship, explaining that Timberlake hadn't wanted to become a father at the time. She also discussed their breakup and his alleged infidelity. The revelations prompted renewed criticism of the former *NSYNC singer, although it's not yet known which of Spears's remarks he'll address in the docuseries.
The project would arrive during a relatively quiet period for Timberlake, whose Forget Tomorrow World Tour concluded in July 2025. That same month, he revealed he'd been diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he said had affected his health throughout the tour. With Jackson reportedly involved in the upcoming series, one of the biggest questions is how much of the Super Bowl controversy the two will revisit, especially after she previously said she wanted to leave the incident behind.
