#23: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake returned to the scene of the crime, performing “Rock Your Body” at the Super Bowl 14 years after it derailed Janet Jackson’s career. This time, he played it safe—too safe. No *NSYNC reunion (not even a quick Destiny’s Child-style cameo), no Janet rematch, no Britney surprise during “Cry Me a River”, not even Timbaland for “Sexy Back.”
He was promoting Man of the Woods (yes, really) and aimed to please in the blandest way possible. The highlight? A video duet with Prince on “I Would Die 4 U”—but by the time he closed with “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” stopping the feeling seemed like a good idea.