UPDATED: 11:00 a.m. E.T., Feb. 13, 2022 —
Celebrating the phenomenal Janet Jackson on Super Bowl Sunday, better known as Janet Jackson Appreciation Day, has become a joyous pastime for many. For the fifth consecutive year, social media users made it clear that #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay is just as important as ever.
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The idea for a day in Jackson’s honor appears to have originated in 2018 with former Cincinnati Bengal Matthew Cherry, according to WABC-TV.
He tweeted, “We should do a #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay this Sunday,” attaching a GIF of the celebrity dancing. Fans soon began flooding Twitter with their favorite Janet Jackson moments.
Justin Timberlake‘s performance at the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show may have inspired the first Janet Jackson Appreciation Day. There were rumors floating around that Jackson would join Timberlake in a surprise appearance. Fueling the speculation was the duo’s memorable performance at the 2004 Super Bowl. Controversy erupted after Timberlake ripped a piece of Jackon’s top and briefly exposed her right breast in front of about 140 million TV viewers–giving birth to what has become known as a “wardrobe malfunction.”
Timberlake emerged from the scandal largely unscathed, while Jackson received the brunt of the criticism. Addressing the controversy in her Lifetime documentary the icon insists she and Timberlake made their peace, but many fans still remember.
Her grace and forgiveness in reflecting on the 2004 incident are unparalleled. It’s not for us to agree but to appreciate and celebrate an amazing person who leads by example.
For many fans, Jackson set the standard for contemporary female pop performers. The recent Lifetime documentary “Janet Jackson” solidified her place in the hearts of many with new generations discovering the joy of watching Damita Jo in action.
Telling her story on her terms, the icon let folks know who was in control. The four-part miniseries gives an intimate glimpse into the journey from the baby sister of the famous Jackson 5 to a top-selling icon in her own right. Following the documentary, old and new fans drove Jackson’s albums back to the top of the charts on iTunes.
The annual appreciation day offers an opportunity to share favorite songs, highlights from the queen’s top performance, and moments when she stopped the show. Singer, songwriter, and actress remains one of the most formidable entertainers of the modern era.
Take a look below at some of the many GIFs, video clips and images people shared this year. And share with us your favorite Jane Jackson moments.
