A powerful message on immigrants wrapped in glitz and glamour

Super Bowl 2020 halftime show delivered a powerful message about what it means to be an American right now with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira dropping a political statement into the glitz and glamour.

With millions tuning in to watch the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, several young singers, including Lopez's 11-year-old daughter, appeared on stage and in the field in circular cages while performing a medley of "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" and "Let's Get Loud".

Daughter of Jennifer Lopez, Emme Maribel Muniz performs during the halftime show. Photo: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

In front of the stage, more children sat in similar cages during the performance which many believe was a reference to the situation at the US-Mexico border, where immigrant children have been separated from their parents and are being detained in horrifying conditions, according to reports published on international media.

Cages have become a symbol of protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the way the American government is treating those who cross the border seeking asylum, reports Mashable. 

US singer Jennifer Lopez and her daughter Emme Muniz perform during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on February 2, 2020. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

International media, from CNN to Guardian to Mashable, have all chimed in to applaud the two women who practically lit up the stage in Miami with a medley of their bilingual hits.

The show was also hailed by Latin and Spanish-speaking fans who were thrilled with the representation on display for such a massive audience.

A Jon Pareles' review published on the New York Times said, "The halftime show was also a no-nonsense affirmation of Latin pride and cultural diversity in a political climate where immigrants and American Latinos have been widely demonised."