A nip slip is a term frequently used by the celebrity press to describe an accidental, public reveal of a woman's nipple, although it can refer to a deliberate unveiling as well. It can also be known as a "wardrobe malfunction", a phrase that gained popularity after the 2004 Super Bowl when Janet Jackson's breast was accidentally revealed while performing the half-time show. The incident continues to be dissected and rehashed to this day, including in a 2021 documentary by The New York Times. The nipple reveal is considered one of the first viral videos on the internet and is one of the reasons behind why YouTube was founded.
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Following Janet Jackson's nip slip in 2004, she suffered criticism and ridicule; the incident is believed to have sunk her career. In the years since, the reaction has been called out as an example of a woman being blamed for being violated. Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake, her co-star for the performance, became more famous following the incident. This has been pointed out as an example of sexism and misogyny.
Over time, celebrities have deliberately revealed a peek of their nipples as a form of body-positive pride, using hashtags like #freethenipple.
