Jennifer Lopez Has A Message For Her Super Bowl Halftime Critics
Plenty of controversial performances have been delivered during the Super Bowl Halftime Shows over the years, and some people seem to think that the display put on by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira at the 2020 event (which, BTW, they didn't get paid for) should be added to the list of acts that left eyebrows raised and tongues clucking. What's all the fuss about? Well, according to Variety, the performance "was criticized by some as being 'too sexy.'"
Haters apparently took issue with the outfits that the women were wearing on stage, as well as the fact that Lopez performed on a stripper pole, which was a nod to her role in Hustlers. There was also a big to-do about Shakira's tongue waggling, which was a zaghrouta and "an ode to Shakira's Lebanese roots," according to Harper's Bazaar.
Rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame was one of the folks who didn't appreciate the show. He tweeted about what he referred to as a "pole humping, a** slapping, a** shaking" performance and claimed, "If that's the requirements for a half-time show, none of the rock bands I know can or will do that. #justsayin." Okay, so the glam-metal singer of "We're Not Gonna Take It" wasn't into the show, but frankly, Lopez isn't here for the criticism.
Jennifer Lopez thinks the criticism is silly
Yes, Jennifer Lopez has heard about the halftime hate. No, she doesn't care.
"I think that's honestly silliness," Lopez told Variety, with a laugh, while attending the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards. "Both of us are really respectful performers who are moms, who have kids, who are very conscious of what we do," she said, referring to herself and Shakira. Lopez called their show "a celebration of women and ... Latino culture." She said she doesn't plan to let that monumental experience be tainted by a "small faction of people who want to be negative about it." J.Lo added, "[I]t's not something I can even let in because it was such an amazing night."
While that could effectively sum up her stance, Jenny from the block drove her position home. "So many beautiful things came out of [the show]," she told Variety, including "the message of standing up for yourself, being a women — that's what I want to pass on to little girls — that's what we want to say, you're strong, you're beautiful, everything about you, be proud of it."
Jennifer Lopez sent a message from the stage
Jennifer Lopez understands that not everyone is a fan of her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, and she's fine with that. Why? Because the performance wasn't just for them. In fact, J.Lo was attempting to deliver a very special message from the stage to a particular group of people.
Following her memorable performance, Lopez took to Instagram to share a video filmed right before the show that captured herself, her daughter Emme (who performed alongside her mother), and members of her team. The powerful clips were accompanied by a caption that read: "All I want my girls, the little girls on stage with me and all over the world to know is how to use their voices and be proud of everything they are. We are proud to recognize that all of us together are what makes this beautiful country truly great." According to AOL, an earlier version also included the line: "Other people can try to build walls, keep us out or put us in cages."
Lopez shared a similar message while sitting down for a post-Super Bowl interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. When Fallon brought up the fact that she had stood atop a replica of the Empire State Building during the performance, Lopez explained, "I wanted it to be like, 'Women are on top of the world.' We are on top of the world right now!"
Jennifer Lopez's performance received plenty of praise
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's Super Bowl Halftime Show performance may have ruffled some feathers and garnered mixed reactions, but plenty of viewers — including some big names in entertainment — loved what they saw.
"@JLo and @shakira and all the special guests were so incredible!!!" tweeted Lady Gaga, who knows what she's talking about, since she headlined the show in 2017. "What a fun halftime show I danced and smiled the whole time. Such powerful sexy women!!!! On camera and off!!!!! Love you beautiful sexy talented women." Pink, who sang the national anthem at the big game in 2018, was also a fan, tweeting: "Yes! Halftime was JOY!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!! @shakira @JLo everything that's yes."
Even Lopez's finacé, former baseball pro Alex Rodriguez, hopped onto Twitter to share an elated video of himself on the field following her performance. He added the caption: "AMAZING!! She ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED IT! Wow, that was so fun! I'm so proud of you, Jen!"
But surely the best endorsement will be from the young girls and women who were moved and motivated by the performance and will do great things because they were inspired by what they saw on stage.