ROME – Justin Timberlake, accused by many of being the architect of Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, was implicated in U.S. swimmer Ricky Beren’s “swimsuit malfunction” that occurred during the World Swimming Championships in Rome on Sunday.
Shortly before Berens stepped up to the starting block for a qualifying heat of the 4x100m relay freestyle, Timberlake was entertaining the crowd with a medley of his hits. At precisely the point when the singer reached the final line of “Rock Your Body” — “I’m gonna have you naked by the end of this song” – Berens leaned down to stretch and tore his suit, exposing his backside.
The mishap, dubbed “Keistergate,” came eerily at precisely the same spot in “Rock Your Body” that Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction occurred 5 1/2 years ago, leading some to speculate it was no coincidence.
Timberlake claimed he had no involvement in the incident, which shocked large segments of the American public. The Parents Television Council claimed it received over 60,000 letters and emails from heterosexual men who say the incident turned them gay.
