Justin Timberlake is in talks to perform the Super Bowl halftime show, according to Us Weekly. The publication cites a source who says the singer “is finalizing” a deal.
The music superstar previously participated in the halftime show for the 2004 Super Bowl, and the moment he tore off part of Janet Jackson’s costume resulted in the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” in which one of her breasts was largely exposed.
A number of Jackson fans took to Twitter on Wednesday to voice their displeasure at the idea of Timberlake getting the gig for Super Bowl LII, which takes place in Minneapolis and airs Feb. 4, 2018, on NBC. They wondered why Jackson, who didn’t do the tearing of the costume, took much of the heat for the “malfunction,” while Timberlake appears close to returning to the Super Bowl.
A representative for Timberlake did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A selection of tweets is below.
https://twitter.com/deaddilf69/status/913054722776600576
Justin Timberlake is welcomed back with open arms by the NFL to perform the SuperBowl but Janet Jackson was blackballed pic.twitter.com/JzbEMHsKwz
— Stephanie. (@qsteph) September 27, 2017
If Justin Timberlake does Super Bowl halftime, Janet Jackson should get to come out & rip the ass of his pants off.
— Caissie (@Caissie) September 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/NOAHKEEN/status/913049945015558144
Me if I see Justin Timberlake on stage at halftime without Janet pic.twitter.com/vC2Kp9GYt2
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) September 27, 2017