J. Lo, Shakira to perform in 2020 Super Bowl halftime show
CGTN

Singers Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will star in the halftime show of Super Bowl LIV at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on February 2, 2020, the National Football League (NFL) announced on Thursday. 

This will be the first time either popstar performs at the high-profile event, which has featured such acts as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, U2, Bruce Springsteen and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Last year, Maroon 5 headlined the show. 

The 54th edition of the Super Bowl – the highlight of the American football season in the U.S., attracting up to 100 million viewers at home on top of those in the stadium – also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the NFL. 

"Two queens," Super Bowl halftime show sponsor Pepsi tweeted excitedly, using emojis of two crowns. "First time together on stage... on the world's biggest stage."

Shakira performs at Vodafone Park as part of her 6th world tour 'El Dorado' in Istanbul, Turkey, July 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

Shakira performs at Vodafone Park as part of her 6th world tour 'El Dorado' in Istanbul, Turkey, July 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Ever since I saw Diana Ross fly off into the sky at the Halftime Show, I dreamed of performing at the Super Bowl," J. Lo said in reaction to the announcement. "And now it's made even more special not only because it's the NFL's 100th anniversary, but also because I am performing with a fellow Latina. I can't wait to show what us girls can do on the world's biggest stage." 

"I'm so honored to be taking on one of the world's biggest stages in the company of a fellow female artist to represent Latinos and Latinas from the U.S. and all over the world – and to top it off, on my birthday! This is a true American dream and we are going to bring the show of a lifetime!" said Shakira.

Jennifer Lopez sings on stage during the Summerfest Music Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Jennifer Lopez sings on stage during the Summerfest Music Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Between them, the two music powerhouses have sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

The two are also no strangers to performing at major sports events: Shakira opened the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with her song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", while J. Lo followed up four years later in Brazil with "We Are One (Ole Ola)" alongside Pitbull. 

Three-time Grammy Award winner Shakira, whose hits also include "Whenever Wherever," "Gypsy" and "Hips Don't Lie", is the only artist from South America to have had a song top the U.S. charts. Singer-actress J. Lo is best known for songs like "On the Floor," "If You Had My Love," and "Ain't It Funny" and has also appeared in movies like "Out of Sight," "The Wedding Planner" and "Selena."