I'm sure you already know that last night one of the biggest sporting events of the year, the Super Bowl, went down in Atlanta. It's a pretty big deal and hard to ignore, no matter how hard you try.
One of the best parts of every Super Bowl is the halftime show. Artists who have performed during the coveted spot include Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.
Last night was the turn of Maroon 5, who were joined by Kylie Jenner's baby daddy Travis Scott, as well as Outkast rapper Big Boi.
One of many talking points surrounding this year's halftime show was, of course, Maroon 5's frontman Adam Levine. This was in small part because he took his top off and looked like this.
Me suddenly showing an interest in sports.
But pictures from the night brought to mind one of the most iconic, and controversial, halftime performances of all time — that of icon and legend Janet Jackson.
You probably don't need me to remind you that Janet did the Super Bowl back in 2004 alongside Justin Timberlake. However, during their duet, Justin ripped away part of Janet's top, revealing her nipple for a split second.
While it might've been just an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction, what followed was basically chaos. As a result, although both Janet and Justin were involved, it was she who "got fined and blacklisted by US radio".
Twitter doesn't exactly have a short memory, so when people started applauding Adam Levine's nipples, the double standards debate was born.
This country should have a serious chat about why Adam Levine’s nipples are, uh, apparently “acceptable” on TV but Janet Jackson was shamed and blacklisted for something she didn’t even do. #SuperBowl
So, Adam Levine’s nipples are ok at the Super Bowl but Janet Jackson’s aren’t?
The nipple-gate backlash received thousands of retweets as people voiced their opinions.
Janet Jackson should be asked to perform at the #SuperBowl next year and her nipples should be celebrated just like Adam’s were tonight
How does Adam Levine get to intentionally reveal both nipples, his belly, his whole back, underarms, left and right obliques, and every tattoo he has above his waist, but Janet Jackson can’t accidentally show 1 nipple?
Some even called out racism as well as sexism.
Adam Levine had his whole ass bird chest on display, but a legend like Janet Jackson had her career and her reputation destroyed for her nipple being displayed for half a second, something that wasn't even caused by her #superbowl
I’m sorry but Adam Levine should get the same grief as Janet did for showing us his unclothed nipples; more specifically, this should prove how absurd, hypocritical, racist and sexist that puritanical hysteria over Janet’s boob really was.