In 2004, in the SuperBowl halftime show finale, 19 year old Justin
Timberlake ripped off 37 year old Janet Jackson's top. Her breast
was exposed on screen for nine sixteenths of a second. A pop icon
and role model for many black women, and an outspoken ally for the
lgbtqI+ community, the moment derailed Jackson's career for many
years, while Timberlake's thrived.
But who was invested in the backlash? Who became obsessed with
blocking her success? Who joked over her humiliation? How have all
those involved profited since?
What does all this have to say about the demographics of who
controls the media, and the scrutinising of black women in the
public eye?
Nine Sixteenths joins theatre maker Paula Varjack with
choreographer/maker Pauline Edwards, actress/director Endy McKay and
choreographer Julienne Doko for a cultural odyssey, to work out what
happened, and what is happening still…
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