“J.Lo and Shakira performing together is literally iconic. They are such powerful women in the industry and represent so much more than their singing and dancing,” said senior Alinna Aspiro. (Photo Credit: Piktochart/Wikimedia/Used with permission )
“J.Lo and Shakira performing together is literally iconic. They are such powerful women in the industry and represent so much more than their singing and dancing,” said senior Alinna Aspiro.

Photo Credit: Piktochart/Wikimedia/Used with permission

Super Bowl LIV Performance Meant More than People Realize

Ella Castellano, Senior Staff Writer

February 14, 2020

Puerto Rican actress and singer, Jennifer Lopez, and Colombian singer, Shakira, performed together for the Super Bowl LIV halftime show. Many criticized the two women of color for what people perceived to be a morally indecent performance, but what Americans failed to realize is that their display was the real picture and growing power of America today. 

There are more than 60 million Latinos in the United States, and the two stars represented a diverse and growing Latino population while also being gloriously Hispanic. During the show, Shakira shouted out “Hola, Miami,” to the city that is more than 72% Hisapnic and showed off her talents by playing the electric guitar and singing hits such as “Hips Don’t Lie” and “She Wolf”.  Lopez did not disappoint either, with her dramatic entrance atop a pole that resembled the Empire State Building. 

Lopez wrote to Shakira on Instagram before the show saying, “Let’s show the world what two little Latina girls can do.”

“I think this halftime show was iconic. Two minority women coming together to do a powerful performance. It was amazing,” said senior Amelia Traviesa. 

 

 

“I know many people thought the performance was ‘scandalous’, but I think once you realize how much meaning there was behind it, especially for J.Lo, you really how good it really was,” said junior Caroline Vanhorn.

The performance was also of significance to show that women can be the “best version” of themself at any age. Through the performance, Shakira (43) and Lopez (50) celebrated their career, their bodies, and their culture. Many people shamed Shakira and Lopez for their revealing performance, but many of Shakira’s moves were a tribute to her culture: belly dancing from her Middle Eastern side (her father is Lebanese) and a few Afro-Colombian dances later on. 

The paramount moment for Puerto Ricans was the moment when Lopez took the stage with her daughter, Emme, 11, and sang a mashup of the chorus “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen and Lopez’ own anthem, “Let’s Get Loud”,  while J.Lo donned an American flag cape with Puerto Rico’s flag on the inside. Puerto Rico has endured a federal financial control board imposed by Washington, suffered from a 13-year recession brought on by a $73 billion debt, recent earthquakes, the horrible aftermath of Hurricane Maria that killed 3,000 people.  

“I absolutely love Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. I think their music is so fun and upbeat and their performance was definitely a showcase of their Latina ethnicity,” said senior Tess Wadsworth.

All of this reminding the next generation that their success is possible by being just who they are.

 

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