It was the first appearance for both artists at the most important American football game of the year – and it was the first time that the halftime show of the US mega event was contested by two women of Latin American descent. This was already seen as a statement in advance: Many residents of Miami, where the final was hosted, are of Latin American descent. In the United States, immigration from Latin America was one of the key issues – and above all, US President Donald Trump had been critical.
The performance was eagerly awaited: Both singers had their top positions in the charts a few years ago. And in the previous year, the organizers had gotten quite wrong with the somewhat relaxed band Maroon 5, the show proved lame and bristling with bland rock clichés.
Fast-moving songs
Colombian Shakira, who celebrated her 43rd birthday on Sunday, finally stormed the stage in a red, tight dress. Accompanied by countless dancers in the same outfit, she sang her hits like “Wherever, Whenever” and “Hips Don’t Lie” in rapid succession – partly crowdsurfed by the audience. The fast-paced show may have looked breathtaking for many viewers, but for Shakira itself it was audibly breathtaking.
In the second part, Lopez, known as JLo for short, appeared on the top of a miniature replica of the Empire State Building – a homage to her hometown of New York as well as an allusion to the most famous scene from the legendary King Kong film. In quite daring leather outfits, she performed short versions of “Jenny From the Block” and “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”. The choreography performed with countless dancers was spectacular.
Children in cages and Puerto Rico
As soon as the fears seemed to be confirmed that the performance was primarily about serving voyeurism with wiggling hips and buttocks, the show took a surprising turn. Children appeared on stage in illuminated cages, including Lopez’s eleven-year-old daughter Emme, who crawled out of the light prison and joined in with the singing. The symbolism was clearly aimed at US immigration policy on the border with Mexico, where children are repeatedly locked up separately from their parents. Lopez appeared in a faux fur cape that showed the flag of the United States from the outside.
Just when Bruce Springsteen started “Born in the USA” for a few seconds in the song, Lopez turned the cloak – and that flag of Puerto Rico was visible. The crisis-ridden Caribbean island from which Lopez’s parents come is a political issue in the United States: there are always discussions about whether the United States and Trump should provide more aid to Puerto Rico. Trump had called the island “one of the most corrupt places in the world” in the summer.
Appearance announced as a statement
Lopez had already announced to Variety before her appearance that she didn’t see the show quite apolitically: “Shakira and I are both very excited that we got the chance for this appearance as Latino women in Miami. I think it’s very important for two Latino women at this time – when Latinos are treated or seen in a certain way in this country – to stand on this stage and show that we have a beautiful, valuable culture, and contribute something necessary in this country. “
Cheers and a little surprise
The appearance – especially the finale, in which the two singers danced and sang side by side – was cheered – at least cheered – by the media and in social networks, in contrast to those of the previous Super Bowls. It is a different matter whether the political indications were actually perceived – it may be that many viewers were rather distracted by a lot of skin.
In particular, users from Europe were also amazed at the cultural differences from the United States: staged and abundantly sexualized butts and legs seem to be no problem in the moral debate in the United States – but woe is, at some point – see the “Nipplegate” Janet Jackson in the 2004 Super Bowl – to see one breast: Then the moral emergency breaks out in the USA.
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