Shakira and J. Lo

Someone on Twitter -- probably more than one someone -- noted that this Shakira/J.Lo event had been positioned in parts of the media as some kind of Lady Singer Face-Off, and instead it was two women joyfully dancing around and having a great time together and this is true. This was just...really fun and energetic and sparkly and great. 

Shakira in Dundas

Shakira was very good, and also I sort of forgot how much I enjoy Shakira? As if I didn't really blast Hips Don't Lie the last time I heard it on the radio, and as if I don't in fact currently have it in my head.

Shakira in Dundas

At home, Britney Spears is like, "oooh, I like this!"

Shakira in Dundas

This was also a good reminder that Shakira can play A NUMBER of instruments, including -- not pictured! -- the drums! 

Jennifer Lopez

AND THEN SHE APPEARED, like the Lady Pirate Captain of our dreams. Jennifer Lopez, my friends, does not phone it in. She BROUGHT IT to this event and also she made me: a) want to go to a J. Lo concert b) want to ask my extensions guy to give me more hair immediately c) reflect that I need to go to the gym forever.

Jennifer Lopez

Just think, if the Academy had gotten their shit together, J. Lo could have been accepting her Oscar thusly next week. (Also: This is amazing.)

We also got a LOT of back-up dancers and i would like to salute all of them for their hard work.

I believe all of J. Lo's looks were custom Versace, and they are perfect for the event if perhaps not for, say, running to Walgreen's to get your prescripton refills or anything.

I do believe that Miami is fresh out of fashion harnesses, though.

See? So many harnesses. Also: This was an excellent reminder that J. Lo has SOME HITS in her pocket. Every time she launched into a new song, I was like, "oh, I love this song."

A few things: First, the feathered Puerto Rican flag back there started off as an American flag coat, in which J. Lo sang the beginning of "Born In the USA," before transforming it into this and, reader, when that switcheroo happened, I screamed. It was fabulous -- a recognition of Jennifer's heritage, and also a useful sidebar to remind people that Puerto Ricans are American citizens, too. And also excellent stage craft. This is also the section where Emme Maribel Muniz, J Lo's daughter, sang "Let's Get Loud" with her -- she sounded great. This segment began with kids in illuminated cages, which many people (surely correctly) took as a dig at Trump's border policies. (I somehow missed that moment; I might have been grabbing a drink.) This whole part was very well done, and Emme can sing! (She does have the genetics for it.)

Shout-out to Shakira for deciding to do this part in sneakers.

Every big finish should involve such joyful haireography. (You can watch the whole show here, if you missed it.)

The 2020 Super Bowl Half Time Show Was a Very Good Time

J. Lo never EVER ever phones it in.