Conclusion

When I first learned that Jennifer Lopez and Shakira would be headlining the 2020 Super Bowl Halftime performance, I was extremely excited. Witnessing two Latinas, two celebrities who resembled me on such a grand platform filled me with a profound sense of pride. Both Shakira and JLo were cherished figures from my childhood. I absolutely adored listening and dancing to their songs growing up and experiencing their performance live was surreal.

Rewatching the performance through a more critical lens, my initial perceptions were challenged. I was completely unaware of the controversy surrounding the decision to have two Latina headliners instead of one. Additionally, I had not fully grasped the depth of the messages that Shakira and JLo were conveying. Through this performance alone, it became evident that Latinx roots are intricately tied to colonialism and slavery, sparking crucial conversations about the concept of "belonging" in the United States. In challenging this narrative, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez use their grand platform to showcase their cultural identities and contribute to a broader conversation. The performance goes beyond a mere entertainment spectacle but showcased a message on the complex history and diverse roots of the Latinx community. They challenged preconceived notions and fostered a deeper understanding of belonging and representation.