When Jennifer Lopez grew up, their holidays were always filled with Spanish music.
Back while they were living in the Bronx, her mother had the power to play her musical preferences. She wasn’t so keen on it. They hated it.
During an interview done in 2017, she talked about it, “We hated it, we wanted to hear what was cool at the time.”
She recalled, “I remember coming out to Hollywood and starting and everybody seeing me being Latina as something that was going to be a hindrance in away.” She decided, however, “That’s going to be my strength.”
It has been more than two decades when she released her first album. Now, she is going to the stage for the famous Super Bowl halftime show. For the first in history, the country will see three prominent Latina artists showcasing their talents.
According to Ivette Rodriguez, co-founder of LA Collab, a group that focuses on doubling Latino representation in Hollywood come 2030, said, “This is such a moment for us to celebrate as a community and, you know, it’s a big deal. America is going to see three Latinas on the most important American pastime.” She added “It’s just really unbelievable and what an incredible moment in our history [and] in our country — because everything is a little messy right now,”
Together with Shakira, a Colombian-born famous singer, and Lopez, the two of them will be co-headlining the show. On the other hand, Demi Lovato will sing the country’s national anthem.
Before Lopez went into music, she had starred in different movies like Selena, Anaconda, and Out of Sight. These were successful, but it didn’t give her the cultural identity in those films The Wedding Planner stars Lopez as an Italian lady.
Her musical journey, though, was smoother than in filmmaking. Latin music was going well, and artists like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony were amenable to the American Listeners. They were up for the dancing beats.
For Jennifer Lopez, she recalled, “It was new to see pop stars of Latin descent at that level. That was the beginning of things changing and people just going, ‘Oh, they’re just making good music, and I like it. It doesn’t matter where they’re from.”
Shakira said on a press conference on Thursday “I think Latinos are going through a difficult time in the US right now and I think it’s essential for us to convey a message of unity and also to show what a relevant force the Latino community is in this country, how much we have to offer, our idiosyncrasies, our culture that is so diverse.
She added,” I think that J.Lo and I are here redefining paradigms about age, about race, about the background. It doesn’t matter where you are from, how old you are, or where you come from. What matters is the message, what you have to say. We’re here, and we have a lot to say.”
Lopez exclaimed, “The two of us could have never imagined we would be playing at the Super Bowl one day. “I’m very, very proud to be here and to be able to have this moment.”
