Controversy swirled on social media regarding the Super Bowl LIV halftime show and whether or not it should have had a warning due to performers Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s dancing and outfits. Many parents and adults were outraged at the fact that the National Football League (NFL) did not provide a warning before the show started because their children would be watching. I believe that the halftime show was completely appropriate and celebrated their Latin roots. 

Many parents were upset because they believe it was not rated PG. Jennifer Lopez, a Puerto Rican who was born in New York, and Shakira, who was born in Colombia, wore outfits to show off their bodies and their culture. Their outfits did, in fact, cover their torsos with their legs and arms exposed. There was not much midriff in either of their outfits. Jennifer Lopez also danced on a pole at the top of the stage which viewers found very provocative, whereas I found her “pole dancing” extremely athletic, especially for a 50-year-old woman. 

Many opined that their skimpy garments and pole work were much more sexual and potentially more revealing than the halftime show in 2004 with Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”. But Adam Levine performed without a shirt on in 2019 and no one thought it was inappropriate, thus creating this double standard that male artists can dress the way they desire, but when female artists want to embrace their bodies and culture, they are hated for it. 

“Both of us are really respectful performers who are moms and have kids and are very conscious of what we do. We did a show that I believe was a celebration of women and our Latino culture that I think was really well received,” said Lopez in a tweet posted in response to hate comments.

Their dancing was a huge part of their culture in my eyes and while many people are calling it “too sexy” or “too revealing”, I call it empowering and inspiring.