The Kansas City Chiefs may have won last night's Super Bowl, but Shakira and J-Lo were the real winners of the evening.
In case you missed it, J-Lo and Shakira put on the most epic Super Bowl halftime performance in recent history last night. Their performance had everything you could ever want from a Super Bowl halftime show and then some, including political activism, a giant clap back to the entertainment industry, and a whole lot of booty shakin'. Some people hated the performance for its provocative nature, but others saw it for what it was, which was two incredibly talented women celebrating their Latin culture, highlighting issues in their community to bring about positive change, and having a darn good time while doing it. Here are the top five moments from their unforgettable performance.
When Shakira became a one-woman band.
Who knew that Shakira could play every instrument under the sun? I sure didn't. Shakira broke out her guitar to play "Empire", a single from her 2014 self-titled album, which faded into a snippet of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir". Later, she played the drums in the background while J-Lo sang Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" with her daughter, Emme. I never really knew that she could play like that. ("Hips Don't Lie", anyone?)
When J-Lo showed the Academy who the real winner is.
Fans were furious when the Oscars snubbed J-Lo for her career-defining role in Hustlers, but, if this performance is any indication, J-Lo took it in stride. In the second part of the halftime show, J-Lo sang a stripped-down version of "Waiting for Tonight" while showing off her Hustlers training in a sequined bodysuit. Twitter saw it as a clap back to the Oscar voters for not showing her the love and respect she deserves and joked about not letting her Hustlers training go to waste. I'm definitely tucking this move in my back pocket the next time I don't get invited to a happy hour.
When J-Lo took a political stand.
After her pole dancing number, J-Lo transitioned into a rendition of "Let's Get Loud" which began with members of a children's choir singing in cages. This was a reference to Trump's "Zero-Tolerance" policy, in which border officials have split up families and placed children in detention centers. As her daughter sang the chorus of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.", J-Lo opened her Versace American flag coat to reveal a Puerto Rico flag to pay homage to her Puerto Rican heritage. We love a politically active queen.
When J-Lo sang with her daughter, Emme.
J-Lo and Shakira both slayed last night, but the breakout star of the night was J-Lo's daughter, Emme. At only 11 years old, Emme Maribel Muniz made her Super Bowl debut when she sang "Born in the U.S.A." as her mother flipped her Versace coat. She is also the daughter of Marc Anthony, and it shows. Twitter joked that she out-sang her mom, and I can't argue that they're wrong. Watch the clip below and judge for yourself.
And, of COURSE, when Shakira stuck her tongue out at the camera.
I am a sucker for a good meme, and Shakira truly delivered when, in the middle of her performance, she stuck her tongue out at the camera and wiggled it around. You truly have to see it to believe it, so here is a clip for your viewing pleasure.
Twitter went wild and served up some great memes, but according to Twitter user Diana Elbasha, her gesture has a much deeper meaning. Known as a zaghrouta, the Arab gesture is used to express joy. Shakira is half-Lebanese, so she did it to pay tribute to her culture.
JLo and Shakira’s Super Bowl halftime performance truly was the performance of the century. It featured two talented performers, political activism, and sweet moments, like when JLo sang with her daughter, Emme. How will anyone ever be able to live up to that next year?