Grammys 'ban' Jackson over Superbowl boob

Singer Janet Jackson caught in a more modest moment while dueting with surprise guest Justin Timberlake during the halftime …

Singer Janet Jackson caught in a more modest moment while dueting with surprise guest Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII. Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Janet Jackson has been banned from the Grammy Awards after her naked breast was revealed during her performance at Super Bowl last Sunday.

Her publicist said she was unlikely to attend, but the entertainment show Access Hollywoodsaid the invitation had been withdrawn.

Controversy arose at Sunday's broadcast of the American Football Superbowl when Jackson and singer Justin Timberlake were performing a duet as part of the half-time show.

During the routine Timberlake tore of Jackson's top, and revealing her right breast.  Both stars insist that the intention was to reveal a red bustier beneath her top, but the stunt went "too far".

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Jackson said in a televised apology: "I am really sorry if I offended anyone. That was truly not my intention."

She was scheduled to introduce the Luther Vandross Tribute at the Grammys, but American TV network CBS, which also broadcast the Super Bowl, reportedly cancelled the invitation.  CBS potentially faces millions of dollars in fines from the US's notoriously conservative broadcasting watchdog the FCC.

I do understand that there were a lot of people that were completely offended by what happened, including my own family.
Justin Timberlake

Timberlake broke his silence on the controversy last night, saying he understood "how unfortunate this is".

"I do understand that there were a lot of people that were completely offended by what happened, including my own family," he said.

Timberlake said he received a call before the show from Jackson and her choreographer saying they wanted to do a "costume reveal".  The singer said he didn't have time to rehearse it before taking the stage and was stunned by the outcome.

"I mean I was completely shocked and appalled, and all I could say was 'Oh my God, Oh my God'," he said.

As a result of the controversy, CBS said it would air the Grammy Awards with a broadcast delay of up to five minutes, so producers can edit out risqué moments.

ABC may use a five-second delay when it broadcasts the Academy Awards, at the end of the month.