It is safe to say that if Twitter was around in 2004, Justin Timberlake's career would have vanished from the face of the earth.
Social media's most powerful entity, Black Twitter, has gathered like Voltron to take over Super Bowl Sunday in the name of legendary pop icon Janet Jackson.
When Timberlake was announced as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LII, the announcement brought back bad memories stemming from the "nipplegate" fiasco during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show in February 2004. The wardrobe malfunction scandal crippled Jackson's career for a few years even though she was the victim of national and international embarrassment.
For many, there is no forgiveness for the way Timberlake handled the situation. And the timing seems perfect for black folks and fans of Janet to skip the big game altogether. It all started with a tweet from filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry calling for a Janet appreciation day on Friday.
We should do a #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ab9fMexgn6
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 2, 2018
Oscars So White creator April Reign also help spread the word by announcing the start time on Twitter. But surprise, surprise, fans were celebrating all weekend in anticipation for Sunday.
Just a reminder that #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay begins at noon EST. Thanks for the idea, @MatthewACherry! https://t.co/3JMBy9SWND
— April (@ReignOfApril) February 4, 2018
When you just wake up and seeing #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay already trending pic.twitter.com/0FbwEdunqc
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 4, 2018
And just like that #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay has become one of the top trends in the U.S. Here are a few tweets gaining steam as the day officially starts:
Janet Jackson really made one of the greatest videos of all time by herself dancing in an abandoned warehouse. "Pleasure Principle." Almost 31 years later and your faves still can't keep up. #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
pic.twitter.com/hGqeRh3GCj— Donald Trump is a RACIST & my name is Kevin Allred (@KevinAllred) February 3, 2018
#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay "With music by our side to break the color lines." Rhythm Nation. https://t.co/4gJtb3YV1r
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) February 4, 2018
#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay on Sunday & 32nd Anniversary of The Control Album ???????? pic.twitter.com/9ukzDhfXIj
— I WILL NOT. (@janetjacksonfam) February 3, 2018
Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation (1989) #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
pic.twitter.com/6VmzkEd6Xf— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 4, 2018
I'm not watching the #Superbowl; I'm listening to #JanetJackson's latest album on repeat and paying proper homage: https://t.co/alyRaFybWS
#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay
pic.twitter.com/mkFVCffqje— #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay (@SonofBaldwin) February 4, 2018
I love how @kerrywashington subtly did her own #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay by featuring only Janet Jackson songs on her epsd of #SCANDAL right before the SB pic.twitter.com/7w8ZJrkDve
— Blue Gangsta♎ (@ferronze23) February 4, 2018
#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay Janet snatching edges in the 70s singing with brother Randy on The Carol Burnett Show. pic.twitter.com/8y6IPobrWj
— ????????♀️ Ree Ree ???? (@AwkwardlyReeRee) February 4, 2018
Even though Janet will not be part of this year's halftime, her fans are shutting it down and celebrating her illustrious career at the same time.
