In 2004, Janet Jackson’s career took a nosedive after she unfairly bore the brunt of the blame for an on-air “nip slip” during her Super Bowl Halftime performance with Justin Timberlake.
The humiliating mishap, which should have been a career-defining moment for the singer, saw Timberlake pull down her shirt on live television, relegating her stellar performance to a controversial wardrobe malfunction.
Jackson’s career suffered significantly as a result: her video clips were pulled from circulation, her music banned from the radio, endorsement deals were lost and she was uninvited to the Grammys.
Timberlake has, notably, suffered no consequences following the performance.
But 15 years on, Ms. Jackson is quietly demanding redemption: getting the recognition and bookings she’s always deserved.
Next week, Jackson will be inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame alongside Stevie Nicks, Radiohead and The Cure and last Friday (March 15th), she was announced as a headliner at Glastonbury Festival 2019.
While the youngest Jackson sibling has sold over 100 million records worldwide and produced five albums that hit top 10 in the UK charts, 2019 will be her first appearance at the iconic music festival.
Okay, okay – Jackson’s name sits on the fifth billing at the top line for Glastonbury, a pretty solid effort for the biggest festival in the United Kingdom.
Here is the first Glastonbury Festival 2019 line-up poster, which includes our final two Pyramid Stage headliners: @TheKillers (Saturday) and @TheCure (Sunday). Many more acts and attractions still to be announced. pic.twitter.com/jYOoTQQurf
— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) March 15, 2019
But when the singer took to Twitter to voice her excitement about the forthcoming festival, writing: “Can’t wait to see you”, her name appeared as the very top billing, ahead of The Killers, The Cure, Stormzy and Kylie Minogue who had previously relegated her in fifth.
https://twitter.com/JanetJackson/status/1107707143057276928
Eagled-eyed Twitter users were quick to notice that the posters subtle editing and, while many rinsed the singer, a lot of people were here for Janet seemingly knowing her worth:
https://twitter.com/brinning_/status/1107974120313155585
https://twitter.com/CoryMeetWorld/status/1107959335458504705
fixed it for you @JanetJackson @GlastoFest pic.twitter.com/KdlI4KaTYY
— jackson davies (@actualjack) March 18, 2019
Despite the three headline acts being male, Glastonbury has worked towards achieving more of a balanced line-up this year, with 42% of the currently announced acts being female.
One Twitter user speculated that Jackson’s edit was a response to festival’s frequent gender-bias, writing: “there was a reason why she did it, To protest that still no female headliners or very few”.
there was a reason why she did it, To protest that still no female headliners or very few.
— Malicia Dabrowicz (Vanadian Avenue) (@cocamidemea) March 18, 2019
While she hasn’t confirmed why she made the edit, there’s no doubt a lesson in knowing your own worth in the face of 15 years of adversity.
So, next time you’re feeling undervalued, channel your inner-Janet Jackson and metaphorically photoshop your name at the top of a Glastonbury poster. Self-promotion is the best promotion.
You can catch Jackson at Glastonbury 2019 at Worthy Farm, Somerset, from 26th – 30th June.
