Janet Jackson has shot down rumours that she will have a surprise reunion with Justin Timberlake on-stage at the Super Bowl half-time show.
She has been at the centre of speculation she might join Timberlake on Sunday for his performance, 14 years after their nipplegate moment overshadowed events on the field.
Jackson wrote on Twitter: “To put to rest any speculation or rumours as to whether I will be performing at the Super Bowl tomorrow: I will not.
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) February 4, 2018
“Thank you for your support and I do look forward to seeing you all very soon.”
Jackson, 51, and Timberlake, 37, performed at the Super Bowl in 2004 together, with the controversial wardrobe malfunction happening during the track Rock Your Body.
As he sang the lyric “I’ll have you naked by the end of this song”, Timberlake pulled at a part of Jackson’s costume, exposing her right breast, which was covered only by a silver decoration.
After an outcry over the incident, Jackson apologised and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cracked down on what it called “indecent content”. The half-time show is now broadcast on a transmission delay.
Timberlake is now returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since that incident, and he is said to have been working tirelessly on the 13-minute performance after having to apologise for the 2004 show.
With the New England Patriots taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LII on Sunday, Timberlake and his new band – the Tennessee Kids – will provide the half-time entertainment while Pink is to sing the US national anthem.
Timberlake appeared to ruled out an appearance with Jackson and other guests, telling a press conference earlier this week: “To be honest, I had a ton of grand ideas about special guests. We talked about it a lot. There’s a whole list.
“I think Vegas has a lot of odds on it, I heard. From N’sync to Jay(-Z), to Chris Stapleton to Janet. But this year I’m just excited.
“My band, the Tennessee Kids, I feel like they’re my special guests and I’m excited this year to rock the stage. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
It will mark the third time the pop star will take to the stage at the sporting event, after first performing in 2001 with his N’Sync bandmates and then three years later with Jackson.
The Super Bowl kicks off at 11.30pm UK time.