Janet Jackson's designer says 2004 Super Bowl moment was scripted
Wayne Scot Lukas claims the wardrobe malfunction was a planned reveal that aired because the broadcast failed to cut to black.
By Lily Carter ·
CBS paid a $550,000 fine in 2004 for a broadcast that exposed Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl halftime show, a penalty the Federal Communications Commission later overturned. Wayne Scot Lukas, Jackson's wardrobe designer at the time, argues that the incident was not an accident but a planned production element that failed during the live telecast.
The 54th Super Bowl halftime performance occurred on February 1, 2004. Jackson and Justin Timberlake performed together in front of a national television audience. According to Lukas, the original wardrobe concept intended to expose Jackson's backside. He stated on the November 3 episode of TMZ Live that he possessed a G-string designed for that specific purpose.
Lukas said the creative direction changed days before the event. The team decided to reveal Jackson's breast instead of her back. He insisted the outfit was constructed to accommodate this specific moment. The plan required the broadcast crew to cut the video feed to black immediately after the reveal. Lukas alleges the production team did not follow this instruction, allowing the cameras to continue rolling and sending the image to millions of viewers.
Jackson has previously described the event as an unintended wardrobe malfunction. Timberlake issued a public apology following the broadcast but has never confirmed or denied Lukas's account. Lukas expressed frustration that Timberlake did not reach out to him directly to apologize for the impact on his career. He noted that the singer should address the discrepancy in his upcoming documentary.
Timberlake is set to star in a four-part docuseries directed by Fisher Stevens. The project is expected to arrive on Apple TV in December. The series will revisit the 2004 controversy and explore Timberlake's past relationship with Britney Spears. Spears, who detailed their relationship in her 2023 memoir The Woman in Me, reportedly declined an invitation to participate in the series.
The 2004 performance triggered a formal investigation by the FCC. The commission initially fined CBS $550,000 for the incident. That fine was later overturned. Jackson continues to celebrate her musical legacy, including the 40th anniversary of her album Control. Lukas remains vocal about his role in the event as the documentary approaches release.
