Looks like Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl antics have gotten her red carpet privileges revoked.
Sources have confirmed to E! that the latest Jackson to suffer a fall from grace will no longer be appearing as a presenter at the 2004 Grammy Awards–which, for the record, are aired by CBS, the same network that carried the Super Bowl.
Though CBS is not commenting on Jackson’s removal from the night’s events, Grammy production sources reversed an earlier proclamation that she would be in attendance, saying that her services were no longer required.
Jackson was slated to present Luther Vandross with a tribute; however, Vandross–nominated for five awards–will not be able to attend the Grammys, due to his ill health. A musical sequence honoring Vandross and featuring Alicia Keys is still on the docket.
As recently as Tuesday, the show’s organizers told E! Jackson would be at Los Angeles’ Staples Center this Sunday. “If we took everyone who is controversial off the show, no one would perform,” the source said.
Jackson’s Grammy persona non grata status came after the contrite entertainer released a videotaped apology, and excused the NFL, CBS and MTV from any involvement in her nipple shield-baring scheme.
“I am really sorry if I offended anyone. That was truly not my intention,” Jackson said in her statement.
A once-bitten CBS has already ordered Grammy producers to air the show with an unprecedented five-minute delay in order to avoid any further unintended offense from presenters and performers.
Meanwhile, as of now, Jackson’s partner in crime is still on the Grammy bill. Justin Timberlake granted KCBS-TV an interview Wednesday from the steps of the Staples Center where he was polishing his performance for Sunday.
The repentant Timberlake told reporters that he was “shocked and appalled” by what had occurred at the Super Bowl.
“All I could say was, ‘Oh, my God. Oh, my God,'” Timberlake said. “I looked at her. They brought a towel up on stage. They covered her up. I was completely embarrassed and just walked off the stage as quickly as I could.”
Timberlake wasted no time placing the bulk of the blame for the incident on Jackson.
He said he had been on tour until just before the Super Bowl and went to Houston the day of the game. Before the show, he got a call from Jackson and her choreographer saying they wanted to do a “costume reveal.”
“Now I was under the impression of what was going to be revealed was a red brassiere, a bustier, forgive me,” he said.
Timberlake said his own family was watching the halftime show and were among the many Americans offended by what he infamously termed a “wardrobe malfunction.”
“I’m frustrated at the whole situation,” Timberlake said. “I’m frustrated that my character is being questioned. And the fact of the matter is, you know, I’ve had a good year, a really good year, especially with my music.”
Meanwhile, Timberlake’s bandmate JC Chasez is also suffering the fallout of the Super Bowl Boobgate. Originally scheduled to perform during halftime of Sunday’s Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Chasez’s gig was canceled after the NFL decided it was too racy.