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Super Bowl LIV: Social media reacts to Jennifer Lopez, Shakira halftime show and more

Yolanda Adams sung “America the Beautiful” during the pre-show and Demi Lovato performed the national anthem.
By Kiersten Willis
Feb 3, 2020

Sunday’s Miami-based Super Bowl LIV included performances that had social media instantly responding.

During the pre-show, Yolanda Adams and the Children’s Chorus of Miami performed “America the Beautiful.” As the award-winning gospel star belted atop a football-shaped stage, the youth choir stood in a double-lined row behind her.

» RELATED: $6 million Super Bowl ad will thank vets for saving dog

Social media raved about the rendition, which joins other performers before her, including Atlanta’s own Chloe x Halle, who performed during Super Bowl LIII.

» RELATED: Super Bowl 54: Will Demi Lovato's version of the national anthem measure up?

When it came time for the national anthem, social media users quickly drew comparisons between Demi Lovato’s rendition and Whitney Houston’s. The late pop icon’s cover is widely considered one of the best performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

» RELATED: Adam Levine relieved halftime show stress is behind Maroon 5

The halftime show commenced with Colombian star Shakira performing her hits including "She Wolf," "Whenever, Wherever," "Hips Don't Lie" and a cover of Cardi B's "I Like It" with Bad Bunny.

Social media delighted in Shakira’s stage presence.

Then, self-proclaimed New Yorican Jennifer Lopez hit the stage, running through a host of her biggest hits including “Jenny from the Block,” “Ain’t It Funny,” “Get Right” and “Waiting for Tonight.”

Her set also included a guest appearances from J. Balvin and her 11-year-old daughter, Emme Maribel Muñiz, who performed “Let’s Get Loud” before her mom and Shakira joined. The latter played the drums on the 1999 hit before grabbing a mic and joining the mother-daughter duet.

The show closed with Shakira performing "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" before the two co-headliners danced one last number and thanked the crowd amid a sea of fireworks.

It left Twitter users gushing over the Latina powerhouses.

Viewers who adored the performances can watch them as part of the NFL's new visual album, "Super Bowl LIV Live," which can be found here.

About the Author

Kiersten Willis is a native advertising specialist at the AJC.

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