Janet Jackson fans, celebrities sing her praises during Timberlake's Super Bowl show
Jackson wasn't a part of Sunday's big game, but she was there in spirit.
— -- Janet Jackson wasn't a part of Sunday's big game, but the music icon was definitely there in spirit.
That's because a group of her biggest fans created a major social-media campaign in an effort to make #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay a trending topic on Super Bowl Sunday -- and it worked.
Celebrities and Jackson fans from around the world included the Janet Jackson Appreciation Day hashtags in tweets about the singer's legacy and influence, making her a top-five trending topic on Twitter Sunday.
The music-streaming platform Spotify even tweeted about the five-time Grammy Award-winning star, linking to a playlist of some of her biggest hits and adding: "She influenced a generation. Celebrate #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay with us."
The campaign started out as a way to protest Justin Timberlake as this year’s halftime headliner, after he mistakenly ripped off a piece of Jackson's costume during a halftime performance in 2004.
Jackson's career took a hit in the wake of the so-called Nipplegate controversy, while Timberlake went on to enjoy a mega-platinum film and music career with few repercussions, according to music industry analysts.
But Sunday's Jackson-appreciation movement was less about harping on the past and more about celebrating the singer's influence on pop culture.
"The Super Bowl stage won't be graced with Janet's presence, after all. We will, however, stream her iconic catalog in appreciation of her unmatched talents in crafting and delivering music. Join us today," one fan group, Janet Jackson Brasil, wrote on its Facebook page on Sunday. "Janet has a legacy that survives any malfunction," it added in another post.
Some celebrities, including Chance The Rapper, Jussie Smollett and Questlove, tweeted images of the megastar along with messages about how she’s impacted the music industry, while others simply tweeted their favorite Jackson songs and videos.
Take a look at how other stars celebrated the icon:
Rapper Chance the Rapper
#JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/UiAouRuxDf
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) February 4, 2018
The Roots’ Questlove
“Orange is the New Black” actress Laverne Cox
Living for #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay. we love you Miss Jackson. It's all for you. When we think of you nothing else seems to matter. Get us all together again in this Rhythm Nation. https://t.co/jJkXqSch3c
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) February 4, 2018
M&M'S Brand
Singer, Actress Bette Midler
“Empire” star Jussie Smollett
Happy #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay ????????????#GreatestLivingEntertainer #JanetJackson pic.twitter.com/RbG7ZheUrZ
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) February 4, 2018
Jackson’s nephew Taj Jackson
Appreciate the love for #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay today. Let's see if @rockhall is watching and listening. @JanetJackson is way overdue to be in the Hall of Fame among her peers. She wasn't even nominated this year. Spread this if you agree. pic.twitter.com/RSJ3m9rJD7
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) February 4, 2018
Activist and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Bernice King
Went to @JanetJackson’s recent Atlanta concert! Amazing artist. Legendary. Plus, she was so sweet to my mother. That matters to me :-). #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/uGr6x3LZUR
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) February 4, 2018
Actress Tika Sumpter
Actress Elise Neal
Editor-in-chief of ESSENCE Magazine Vanessa DeLuca
On this @JanetJackson #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay, let’s set this thing off the right way: pic.twitter.com/2jcucJD9yk
— Vanessa K. De Luca (@Vanessa_KDeLuca) February 4, 2018
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