Jennifer Lopez, Shakira team for Super Bowl LIV halftime show - Los Angeles Times
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Jennifer Lopez and Shakira team up for Super Bowl 2020 halftime show

Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez, left, will perform at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show with Shakira.
( Khaled Desouki / Rodrigo Arangua / AFP/Getty Images)
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After much speculation about Jennifer Lopez’s potential participation in the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, the NFL has confirmed the rumors are true — with an added treat. The sports organization announced Thursday that the “Hustlers” star will perform at the event, along with Colombian superstar Shakira.

“Ever since I saw Diana Ross fly off into the sky at the Halftime Show, I dreamed of performing at the Super Bowl,” Lopez said in a statement. “And now it’s made even more special not only because it’s the NFL’s 100th anniversary, but also because I am performing with a fellow Latina. I can’t wait to show what us girls can do on the world’s biggest stage.”

Shakira also stressed the significance of the Latinx representation the duo will bring to the field and pointed out that the program is set to take place on a particularly special day: her 43rd birthday.

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“I’m so honored to be taking on one of the world’s biggest stages in the company of a fellow female artist to represent Latinos and Latinas from the U.S. and all over the world — and to top it off, on my birthday!” said Shakira. “This is a true American dream and we are going to bring the show of a lifetime!”

“First time together on stage…on the world’s biggest stage,” Fox Sports: NFL tweeted, with a promotional photo of the pair in shimmering gold outfits. “Welcome @JLo and @Shakira to the #PepsiHalftime show at #SBLIV on FOX!”

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The Latina music icons both shared the ad on their personal Twitter accounts, expressing their excitement to take the Super Bowl LIV stage. Additional art of each of the pop stars donning Super Bowl-themed jewelry have also surfaced.

“Going to set the world on ...,” Lopez wrote, with some fire emojis, while Shakira tweeted, “It doesn’t get any bigger than this! So excited about getting on that #SuperBowlLIV #PepsiHalftime stage!”

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The pro football championship will mark the first time Lopez and Shakira have performed together. Their joint act will follow the 2019 halftime set featuring Maroon 5 and Travis Scott. The pop band and “Sicko Mode” rapper accepted the offer to participate in last season’s program amid controversy surrounding the NFL’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick.

In solidarity with Kaepernick, many celebrity activists — including Jay-Z, who has since signed with the NFL to consult on events — boycotted Super Bowl LIII.

Lopez and Shakira will take the halftime stage in Miami, where they will join the ranks of esteemed Super Bowl alumni including Beyoncé, Prince, Madonna, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. The announcement comes at an extra successful time for Lopez, who scored high box office returns and Oscar buzz for her scene-stealing turn as a veteran stripper in “Hustlers,” alongside Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Cardi B and Lizzo.

If the acclaim holds, February could turn out to be a career-defining month for the “On the Floor” singer, with the Oscars scheduled one week after the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl LIV will air Feb. 2 on Fox.

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