Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Still Upset That No One Remembers His 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance
The 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most iconic moments of the aughts. Featuring Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, and Jessica Simpson, the NFL show could not have brought together a more legendary group of music artists to rock Houston’s Reliant Stadium. When you recall that this Super Bowl Halftime Show produced one of the most controversial moments in TV history, you’ll understand why Sean “Diddy” Combs became a total afterthought.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s ‘Nipplegate’ at the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show
On February 1, 2004, 89.8 million viewers tuned in to watch Tom Brady’s New England Patriots defeat the Carolina Panthers, 32–29, concluding with a thrilling last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Despite the game being one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history, Jackson and Timberlake managed to upstage the competition when the former NSYNC vocalist exposed Jackson’s right breast on live television.
While performing “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake pulled off part of Jackson’s costume, revealing her right breast embellished with a nipple shield. The incident, which Jackson later called a wardrobe malfunction, sparked massive backlash, garnered FCC fines, and changed live TV regulations forever. However, the “Nasty” songstress bore the brunt of the criticism, facing industry blacklisting while Timberlake’s career thrived.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs performed for less than 60 seconds at Super Bowl XXXVIII
In addition to Jackson and Timberlake concluding the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show with an ahead-of-its-time “free the nipple” moment, several other music artists performed their biggest hits. Jessica Simpson kicked off the concert with a brief introduction, yelling, “Houston, choose to party!” Jackson performed “All for You,” and Nelly rapped “Hot in Herre” while cheerleaders removed their clothing.
Kid Rock performed “Bawitdaba” and “Cowboy” while wearing an altered American flag as a poncho. He later received criticism from Veterans of Foreign Wars for “desecrating” the flag. Between these attention-grabbing moments — all produced by MTV — Sean “Diddy” Combs took to the stage. Then known as P. Diddy, he rapped “Bad Boys for Life” for approximately 30 seconds before Nelly performed. Later, he briefly rapped part of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” for fewer than 30 seconds.
Combs is ‘still upset’ years after the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show
In 2018, Combs appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The beloved Bravo host asked the rapper about Timberlake’s then-upcoming second halftime performance, which took place at Super Bowl LII. “You performed at that infamous Super Bowl with Justin Timberlake and Janet during the wardrobe malfunction,” Cohen stated. “What are your thoughts on Justin performing at the Super Bowl again?”
Combs did not skip a beat, stating, “First of all, I wanna say that I’m still upset about that Super Bowl because I put, like, six months of my life into the preparations, and then nobody knew I performed.” He continued, “Ya’ll don’t even know I performed at that Super Bowl! You know what I mean?” Cohen laughed and said, “I gotta tell you something, I was surprised when I heard. I was like, ‘Really? He did?'”
Less than 60 seconds of Diddy versus Nipplegate? We’re not surprised no one remembers the rapper’s big moment. Page Six checked in with Combs after his comments on WWHL. His rep told the news outlet, “He was joking. He’s not upset or anything. He was just joking.”
Combs is currently awaiting trial regarding charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.
