Cle Wootton performed the song on the first season of "Australian Idol". American boy band 'N Sync covered "That's the Way Love Goes" and released a promotional music video for the song, aired on Jackson's MTV Icon special. Singer Nina covered the song for the soundtrack of the film "What's the Worst That Could Happen?". Japanese pop singer Utada Hikaru briefly sampled the song during the chorus and closing of the "Underwater Mix" of "Addicted to You". Yuliet Topaz released a lounge cover of the song in 2008. Deborah Cox, Brownstone, Chantay Savage, and Heavy D performed "That's the Way Love Goes" at the Soul Train Music Awards to tribute Jackson.