In her Netflix documentary “Halftime,” the music superstar talks about her frustrations over the time constraints of 2020’s co-headlining performance.
Shakira (left) and Jennifer Lopez perform at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show in Miami.
KEVIN WINTER VIA GETTY IMAGES
For fans, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s 2020 Super Bowl halftime show was a peak cultural moment in a year that came to be defined by both political divisions and a pandemic.
Lopez, however, had a much different opinion on the massively hyped performance ― or at least she did in the days leading up to it. In her Netflix documentary “Halftime,” the actor and singer is shown in rehearsals with her music director Kim Burse and appears visibly stressed over the time constraints.
“We have six fucking minutes,” Lopez proclaims, according to Entertainment Weekly. “We have 30 seconds of a song, and if we take a minute, that’s it, we’ve got five left. But there’s got to be certain songs that we sing, though. We have to have our singing moments. It’s not going to be a dance fucking revue. We have to sing our message.”
“This is the worst idea in the world to have two people do the Super Bowl,” she continues. “It was the worst idea in the world.”
Elsewhere in “Halftime,” Lopez doesn’t hold back as she maps out the logistics of the show with Shakira directly. “If it was going to be a double-headliner, they should have given us 20 minutes,” she says. “That’s what they should’ve fucking done.”
Catch the trailer for “Halftime” below.
In the end, Lopez and Shakira’s performance lasted about 14 minutes. By comparison, Madonna in 2012 and Lady Gaga in 2017 were each given about 14 minutes to perform in the Super Bowl show. This year’s halftime show, featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, clocked in at nearly 14 minutes.
Lopez’s manager Benny Medina shared his client’s frustrations over the NFL’s choice of a co-headlining performance.
“Typically, you have one headliner at a Super Bowl. That headliner constructs a show, and, should they choose to have other guests, that’s their choice,” he said, according to EW. “It was an insult to say you needed two Latinas to do the job that one artist historically has done.”
In spite of their limited stage time, Lopez and Shakira each turned in a dazzling performance that won raves from critics and even managed to deliver a subtle political message. The Los Angeles Times applauded the divas for having “fused old-school razzle-dazzle with an of-the-moment sense of Latin American pride,” while Entertainment Weekly called it “punchy, political, and flat-out electric.”
“Halftime,” which premiered Wednesday at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in New York, follows Lopez as she “reflects on her milestones and evolution as an artist, and navigates the second half of her career continuing to entertain, empower and inspire,” according to press notes.
It’s now available for streaming on Netflix.
Support HuffPost
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
News
Lady Gaga Says Britney Spears Has ‘Changed the Course for Women’ in the Music Industry ‘Forever’
“You stood up for yourself and were so brave,” Lady Gaga wrote to Britney Spears after the end of the “Lucky” singer’s 13-year conservatorship PHOTO: KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE;…
Lady Gaga set to return to Las Vegas this summer for eight shows on her Jazz & Piano residency at Park MGM
Lady Gaga is putting back on her Poker Face for another round in Las Vegas. The New York City native, 37, is reviving her Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano residency for eight shows…
Why Lady Gaga Skipped the 2024 Met Gala
It’s been five years since Lady Gaga walked the Met Gala carpet, and while Little Monsters were hoping that this would finally be the year of the pop superstar’s…
AFTER “SWEEPING” THE RED CARPET, LADY GAGA AGAIN DAZZLED WITH A “MOVING” DRESS
In recent days, not only music lovers but also the audience of the big screen can’t help but sob when looking at Lady Gaga. Appearing as a star…
Lady Gaga on Feud with Ex-Friend Perez Hilton: It’s All ‘Rooted in Madonna’
“He’s just mad that I don’t want to hang out anymore because I don’t want to be around fake people,” the “ARTPOP” singer said of dissolving her…
Lady Gaga is glamorous on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards
Singer Lady Gaga with high hair, light makeup, and seductive off-shoulder dress appeared on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards ceremony. Lady Gaga appeared on the…
End of content
No more pages to load