Jennifer Lopez and Shakira made history last night as two Latinx headliners for the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show. Both expressed very different but unified Latinx cultures, specific to their experiences. Shakira rocked it out with her Colombian and Lebanese roots, while Lopez shined with her Bronx and Puerto Rican influences.
They both did amazing, but it’s time to highlight Lopez’s contribution to the success of the show. Alongside guest artists Bad Bunny and J Balvin, Lopez pulled no stops.
Lopez has had many incredible hits on the Billboard Hot 100, defining the late nineties and early 2000s with her R&B and Hip-Hop collaborations. She pleased the crowd with her classic songs like “Jenny From The Block”, “Ain’t It Funny”, “Get Right”, and “Waiting For Tonight”. Moreover, she played her new club classic “On The Floor” which Miamians loved.
More amazing still, her and J Balvin complimented each other for steamy performances of “Booty” and “Mi Gente”, keeping the party lit.
Lopez brought her daughter to perform as well, showcasing her talent. Daughter of Lopez and Marc Anthony, Emme obviously showed her chops, keeping up with her established mother and Shakira.
Emme sang “Let’s Get Loud” as she and a choir of children were placed in lit spirals resembling cages, calling attention to Trump’s immigration camps. As she ascends to the stage with her mom, they both sing “Born In The USA”, furthering their message of Latinx-American pride, peace, and solidarity.
#BornInTheUSA ❤️🤍💙 #SBLIV 📷 Wireimage / Getty Images pic.twitter.com/D6TI2vZZdF
— jlo (@JLo) February 3, 2020
Although Lopez was snubbed by the Oscars for her groundbreaking performance in “Hustlers” she was not about to waste her stripper skills. Who needs a stupid award when you can look that good on a stripper pole?
During “Waiting For Tonight” her dancers followed her sexily as she spun and posed powerfully on the pole, green lasers emphasizing her incredible strength and prowess. Audiences were stunned by her overtly sexy movements, some even offended. But those idiots are probably the same people who snubbed her….so who cares?
Thank you to my incredible team for the most epic halftime I could have ever imagined. I love you guys so much #SBLIV #SuperBowlLIV #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/sRCDxaWhRp
— jlo (@JLo) February 3, 2020
Lopez’s set proved a powerful, streamlined counterpart to Shakira’s stage design. Her own was mostly silver and glamourous, her own costume was shiny and encrusted with a reflective, diamond-covered bodysuit. It emphasized her famous curves, still going strong at 50 years old.
The stage design continued with the glamour theme as it transitioned to the “Waiting For Tonight” routine, where laser lights similar to the award-winning music video’s highlighted her and the dancers. Her dancers dressed to compliment her movement.
