On February 1, 2004, there was… Nipplegate. The Watergate of Nipples

On February 1, 2004, there was… Nipplegate. The Watergate of Nipples. Young Justin Timberlake performed a song with Janet Jackson and, accidentally, removed a part of Jackson’s outfit. In doing so, he revealed Janet’s breast and her left nipple, marvelously adorned with some piece of sun-shaped jewelry.

I was not in the least bit ‘offended’ by the sight, and felt that Janet has nothing to be ashamed of whatsoever — it was a lovely breast, and an honest mistake. I am sure Timberlake felt awful, and I am sure it was mortifying for his female duet-partner. But, alas, the show was live. And the image went viral around the globe. For weeks, no one could stop talking about Janet Jackson’s bejeweled areola.

A lot of people accused Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake of essentially orchestrating a pre-planned publicity stunt. And I have to admit… it was quite a photogenic and well-dressed nipple wasn’t it? But I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. If it was unintentional, then it must have been awful for the unenviable artists.