Can we all take a minute to talk about Adam Levine’s nipples at the Super Bowl halftime show?

We all remember it: The “wardrobe malfunction” heard ’round the world. In 2004, Justin Timberlake infamously ripped the front off of Janet Jackson’s top during their Super Bowl halftime performance of “Rock Your Body,” revealing Jackson’s right nipple on live national television. Outrage and controversy reached a fever pitch in the ensuing days, and some would argue that the incident had serious repercussions for Jackson’s career. So we can’t help but notice that Adam Levine performed at the 2019 Super Bowl on February 3rd completely shirtless…and none of those same outraged factions seemed to care at all.
Can you say #SexistDoubleStandard?
The public outcry over Americans (gasp) seeing a woman’s nipple for about half a second as compared to the total acceptance and apathy over seeing a half-naked man perform entire songs is a clear reminder that we have a long way to go in terms of gender equality and sexism. Whereas the female form is still considered sexual, “inappropriate,” and even shameful (“There are children watching!”) the male body is 100% normal, natural, and acceptable.
Super Bowl halftime nipple rules feel inconsistent
— Katie Nolan (@katienolan) February 4, 2019
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I’m sorry but Adam Levine should get the same grief as Janet did for showing us his unclothed nipples; more specifically, this should prove how absurd, hypocritical, racist and sexist that puritanical hysteria over Janet’s boob really was.
— Jenn | Reappropriate (@reappropriate) February 4, 2019
So, Adam Levine’s nipples are ok at the Super Bowl but Janet Jackson’s aren’t?
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) February 4, 2019
We’re smarter than this, people. Or at least we should be.