Janet Jackson
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Janet Jackson |
The Super Bowl means just as
much to the entertainment world as it does to those who follow sports.
As the big game approaches, one of the top questions along with "Who's going to
win?" is "What will Janet Jackson be doing at the halftime show?" But Janet
isn't the only celebrity cutie who'll be catching eyes during the MTV-produced
AOL Top Speed Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime performance Sunday. Jessica Simpson
has just been added to the festivities.
MTV's 12-minute program will commence with a short film, and then one half of
the world's most popular newlyweds will call for the party to start. From there
the Houston native will hand it over to fellow hometown favorites Texas Southern
University and the University of Houston. The TSU Ocean of Soul marching band
and the UH Spirit of Houston Cougar marching band will unite as one, coming with
their instruments blaring and feet stomping, leading the way for Ms. Jackson.
Although the bands have different styles — with TSU moving with a
pump-and-drive, high-knee marching style and U of H using the more traditional
heel-to-toe method — they've been able to meet in the middle.
"It's working out fine," affirmed TSU Band Director Richard F. Lee. "We have two
different styles but we move the same distance at the same time; eight steps
every five yards." Lee and UH band director David Bertman will share the reins
on Sunday.
After seeing videotapes of the bands, Jackson was eager to work with both squads
so she could bring something new to the table for her halftime performance.
"Me and Janet thought it would be great to change one of our numbers and
introduce a drum line into our routine," Jackson's choreographer, Gil Duldulao,
said Tuesday. "This is different because I know a lot of band members aren't
dancers. So I'm happy to have the time beforehand to teach and sort of lead them
in the direction that I feel is perfect for what we're doing onstage."
Janet will be backed by 26 dancers, 360 regular band members and a 60-person
drum line. Each school has an equal amount of people playing.
"I don't think the Super Bowl has ever seen a performance like this," Duldulao
added. "The dancing is great. She's more stylized, she's more feminine, she's
more a woman as she dances this time around. There are some shocking moments in
there too. (Editor's note: At the time of this report, MTV thought that the
'shock' was going to be the as-yet-unannounced appearance of Justin Timberlake
as part of Janet's performance. Janet Jackson's subsequent performance was not
what had been rehearsed, discussed or agreed to with MTV. To read Janet
Jackson's statement and apology, see "Janet Apologizes, Says Super Bowl Stunt
Went Too Far." For MTV's statement. see "Janet, Justin, MTV Apologize For Super
Bowl Flash.") It's a lot of pressure, there's so many creative people and
creative artists, you want to make sure everything is different, and I think
she's going to do that. She's doing her job well."
"I don't think the Super Bowl has ever seen a performance like this," Duldulao
added. "The dancing is great. She's more stylized, she's more feminine, she's
more a woman as she dances this time around. There are some shocking moments in
there too. It's a lot of pressure, there's so many creative people and creative
artists, you want to make sure everything is different, and I think she's going
to do that. She's doing her job well."
In addition to Jackson and Simpson, P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock will also
perform at halftime.
Hangin' in H-Town: News and notes from the Super Bowl:
