OK, ladies: Let's talk Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, and what they shook at us for Super Bowl 2020 Halftime Show — because the internet is going wild, because friends of mine are arguing on Facebook, and because I've now watched the performance four times now.
My quick response for all the upheaval: That performance was LIT. Superhuman. Against my usual judgment, I loved it.
Keep in mind that I first watched this now-infamous performance at our church hall with my daughters (ages 7 and 9), fellow Sunday school teachers, our priest, and other families of all ages — and really didn't feel all that weird while watching it.
On that final shot of Jennifer and Shakira, back to back, with all the hair and fireworks and lights shooting up to the sky, I had a huge grin, tears in my eyes, and pretty much said out loud, "Holy Mother, those two did it."
As a former stage singer and dancer for 25 years, I've always measured performances by how they make me feel right afterwards — if I felt like I was smacked me against a back wall with a burst of energy, like a hurricane of wind and adrenaline just hit me — then it was a great show. And that's how I felt. Gut reactions don't lie.
I was also surprised how happy their performance made me — as a mom in their same age bracket, who happens to sometimes feel like the most fit, energetic, sexiest aspects of myself are either temporarily missing or completely lost.
Was that pole too hot for midday TV?
That shimmery bodysuit too racy to innocently appreciate in a room full of men? The booty shakes too much for family Super Bowl entertainment? Yes, yes, and yes. But … welcome to showbiz, mamas.
Would this have been a first pick for my young daughters to see during Super Bowl? Not so much. But let's just be honest and admit that we all know much better than to expect anything child-friendly for any kind of broadcast performance these days — especially when two of Hollywood's sexiest women (hot! Latina! dancers!) are hired for the Super Bowl show, in Miami, and charged to make huge headlines leading up to, during, and after.
Whether or not this was your brand of entertainment, what JLo and Shakira did takes endurance
The high-voltage dancing, singing, instrument-playing, and quick costume-changing — pretty much all at one time. I give them major credit.
As for the seemingly sheer bodysuits, high-cut bottoms, and derrieres that winked at us via quick, teasing camera shots, have faith that dance costumes are not real-life clothing and are supposed to be a playful part of a live stage show thrill. We didn't see any explicit body parts that we've (unfortunately) seen in the past.
When my daughters pointed out that one of JLo's costumes showed her "almost naked in the front," I said, "I'm glad you noticed — it isn't appropriate for real life, and thank you for having a smart brain to see and say that! What she's wearing is for a show, to get people who are watching to talk about it. She doesn't wear that in real life."
Yes, that pole could’ve been omitted and the show would’ve been just as incredible. But, I challenge you to just watch it, to see that JLo really didn't do much of anything salacious on that pole. She extended her leg once, swooshed her hair extensions around (I would too!), and sang live into a mic — nearly impossible if you think about how much core strength it takes to just prop yourself up on a pole in the first place.
The whole thing was a tease for media chatter the next day
Shakira shook it all over the place, belly-danced, and did that Lebanese "party call" during her closeup. So what? Who cares? That's what Shakira does. Some of my fellow Armenians in our church hall yelled back at her and laughed.
As for my parenting? I reminded my daughters that most of what we watched is "grown-up dancing" — as in, if my girls do any incarnation of this with other kids or anywhere in public at any time, they'll get in major trouble.
My daughters and I also discussed how hard the dancers trained and how many people it takes to create that kind of lighting and sound for a big show. We talked about how Shakira and JLo are moms, and that the little girl who sang the solo was Lopez's daughter (which I adored). Train your girl's talents and bring her up onstage with you because none of our daughters should ever feel like they're living in their mom's shadow.
There’s fun-sexy entertainment and trashy-sexy entertainment — this was 100% fun-sexy, assuming we can all seperate real life from entertainment.
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira pulled it off
They pushed star power talents, gave us total glam goals, and delivered hot Latina energy right up to the limit — but not beyond — what broadcast TV permits these days. We saw a SHOW: nonstop dancing, impressive scene, and costume changes, unstoppable energy, relentless stamina, and surges of thrilling teases to keep us all talking. At 43 and 50 years old!
And some say show business is for the young.
In 10 minutes, Lopez and Shakira ignited a fiery spirit in so many of us moms-in-our-40s, a spirit that many of us figured might lay dormant forever. Not anymore. And for that, I thank them.
