Janet Jackson's older brother JERMAINE has leapt to his sister's defence - declaring himself "very proud" of her controversial performance at the SUPER BOWL.

The former Jackson five bandmember was watching the half-time festivities on Sunday (1FEB04) with brother TITO, and was one of millions who saw JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE expose the RHYTHM NATION singer's right breast at the end of their duet.

But, far from being outraged by the "unintentional mistake", Jermaine was filled with pride for his 37-year-old singing sibling.

Jermaine enthuses, "She was incredible. She's beautiful. That's my little baby sister. I felt something went wrong because she was hiding (her breast)."

Timberlake, 22, has taken full responsibility for the incident, blaming a "wardrobe malfunction", and issued an apology to those viewers offended by the flesh-baring antics.

03/02/2004 17:28