Shakira and Jennifer Lopez put on such a memorable (and meme-worthy) Super Bowl halftime show, that both ladies immediately shot up the Billboard Music charts. With an audience of over 100 million people, the Super Bowl is the most-watched television event of the entire year.
The show gave J-Lo and Shakira a truly massive platform to celebrate their careers, their cultures, and a shared love of music. Watching this bold, high-energy performance was also a welcome reminder that two women who are both mothers and both over the age of 40 can still be at the pinnacle of their game.
Two Confident Women
Shakira kicked off the show with a medley of her best-known songs in both English and Spanish, while also showing off her impressive guitar skills. There were many nods to her Colombian and Lebanese heritage woven in throughout the performance. One, in particular, included belly dancing moves and the much-talked-about moment when Shakira trilled her tongue at the camera in an Arabic expression of joy.
Jennifer Lopez made an entrance in a black leather ensemble. She showed off her core strength with a memorable pole routine. She shouted out her native Puerto Rico several times, including with a massive feather coat bearing the flag. One of the highlights of the show was when Jennifer shared the stage with her look-alike, 11-year-old daughter Emme, to perform a mashup of “Born in the USA” and “Let’s Get Loud.”
Why It Matters
This year’s halftime performance was charismatic, unapologetic and full of personal touches. Those qualities helped it resonate so much with the audience, and why we’re still talking about it.
This was the first time two Latina performers were headliners at the Super Bowl halftime show. And the performance reflected an undeniable celebration of cultural pride. While a lot of the commentary focused on their age-defying bodies, it’s not hard to see how these women stay so fit! They’re both passionate performers who have remained relevant and vibrant after decades in the industry.
There’s a reason it feels good to celebrate someone for being themselves. It’s a reminder that success comes from authenticity, and that this is something worth pursuing.
If you’ve somehow missed it, or want to watch it again, check out the full Super Bowl halftime show on YouTube.
