Jennifer Lopez, Shakira give epic performance at Super Bowl 2020 halftime show

Many are claiming Janet Jackson is owed an apology after JLo and Shakira’s rapturously received and very raunchy halftime show.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira sizzled onstage at the Super Bowl halftime show in a high-powered, raunchy extravaganza.

And while the show and both singers have been lavished with praise, it has launched fierce debate over whether Janet Jackson deserves an apology for the response to her revealing performance 16 years ago.

In the final seconds of Jackson’s 2004 set, Justin Timberlake famously tore off part of her clothing and exposed her nipple, in an incident which was ridiculed and later credited for hurting the singer’s career.

Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction was infinitely less revealing than this year’s #SuperBowl halftime show

— Ryan Decker (@RDeckerWboy) February 3, 2020

After that, Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction looks like she lost her shoe.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) February 3, 2020

Janet Jackson is wondering what the big deal was now #SuperBowl

— Animals of Section B (@SectionBAnimals) February 3, 2020

so when in the 2nd half does Janet Jackson weigh in & provide commentary on the halftime show..I'm very curious her thoughts #SFvsKC #SuperBowl

— Lance Medow (@LanceMedow) February 3, 2020

Janet Jackson moment???#PepsiHalftime #JLoSuperBowl #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLIV pic.twitter.com/yEqmugUNQv

— Zane Media (@radiozane) February 3, 2020

Watching this #SuperBowl show. It is really remarkable that Janet Jackson's nipple was a big deal

— Liberal Venom (@LiberalVenom) February 3, 2020

JLo and Shakira co-headlined the world’s most watched stage at the NFL championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Miami, Florida today, with a 12-minute medley of their biggest hits.

Kicking off with an explosion of fireworks, Shakira hit the stage first surrounded by dancers dressed in frilly red, opening with her electrifying song She Wolf, before breaking out the electric guitar.

Shakira performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show at Hard Rock Stadium. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

A guitar to match your outfit. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Shakira’s iconic belly-dancing was on full display as she performed her number one smash, Wherever, Whenever.

The star, who was also celebrating her 43rd birthday, wrapped her solo set by crowd surfing during Hips Don’t Lie.

Shakira doing Shakira things. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

And then came JLo’s set, featuring more than 130 dancers as the 50-year-old exploded onto the stage with a sexy solo performance.

JLo knows how to make an entrance. Picture: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez in one of her eye popping outfits. Picture: Backgrid

Opening with Jenny From The Block, JLo made a grand entrance on an illuminated pole before belting out Ain’t It Funny and Get Right, wearing a black leather figure-hugging suit.

She then had a costume change mid-performance, switching into a revealing silver number as the singer showed off her impressive pole dancing skills, in what was no doubt one of the set highlights.

Jennifer Lopez, ladies and gentleman. Picture: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

How???? Picture: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Epic. Picture: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

JLo’s young daughter Emme, 11, was a surprise addition as she blew the crowd away singing Born In The USA while her mum held up a giant US flag, before spinning around to reveal a Puerto Rican flag to represent her heritage.

Both JLo’s parents were born in Puerto Rico.

J-lo came out with the U.S flag then turned it around to reveal the Puerto Rican flag while a girl sang “born in the USA”, with millions watching on fox. the POWER. The MESSAGE. Puerto Ricans are U.S citizens. Don’t forget us. Listen to us. #SuperBowl #HalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/e4kEchGkN5

— Salty spoonie♿ (@nonotyoshi) February 3, 2020

Her entire performance was oozing Latin pride, with some pointing out the singer made a subtle political statement about detainees.

Jennifer Lopez’ symbolic statement about Latino children being detained in cages in the US while singing “Born In The USA” is truly Latin excellence. pic.twitter.com/xHBbDOOhCN

— Solomon Ray 🌹 (@solomonraymusic) February 3, 2020

Shakira then joined JLo for an energised compilation of Let’s Get Loud and her own song, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), capping off their epic show shaking their famous assets in sync on a raised platform.

Shake it. Picture: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

What a duo. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The performance has already been met with widespread applause, with P!nk and Lagy Gaga taking to Twitter to praise the pair.

Yes! Halftime was JOY!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!! @shakira @JLo everything that’s yes ❤️😍❤️

— P!nk (@Pink) February 3, 2020

. @JLo and @shakira and all the special guests were so incredible!!! What a fun halftime show I danced and smiled the whole time. Such powerful sexy women!!!! On camera and off!!!!! Love you beautiful sexy talented women 💕💋 #SuperBowlHalftimeShow #SuperBowl

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 3, 2020

My friend @JLo, along with @shakira put on one heck of a halftime show. Love you JLo! #SuperBowl #JLoSuperBowl

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 3, 2020

THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A HALFTIME SHOW. (Maroon 5 take notes) #PepsiHalftime #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/SpT4z4coqj

— Bradley Berdecia (@thejitterbug759) February 3, 2020

That #Superbowl halftime had me like https://t.co/2CLOUU8MzE

— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) February 3, 2020

This year’s show was produced by Jay Z’s entertainment agency, Roc Nation.

The halftime show often generates more buzz than the game itself.

Katy Perry’s 2015 performance remains the most viewed halftime show in history, with 120.7 million TV viewers, with Lady Gaga’s 2017 show coming in second with 117.5 million, the star eclipsing the game’s viewership.

Maroon 5 performed last year in what was widely panned for being boring, raking in 98.2 million viewers, its lowest in a decade.

The NFL announced in September the two Latina artists would be performing together for the first time in the event’s history.

Shakira and JLo at a press conference ahead of the show. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

“Ever since I saw Diana Ross fly off into the sky at the halftime show, I dreamed of performing at the Super Bowl,” Lopez said after the announcement.

“And now it’s made even more special not only because it’s the NFL’s 100th season, but also because I am performing with a fellow Latina.”

Originally published as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira give epic performance at Super Bowl 2020 halftime show