I just finished watching the halftime show for Super Bowl LIV. It featured Shakira and Jennifer Lopez and apparently a cameo by some guy I’ve never heard of. I don’t usually watch but I was curious about this year’s commercials and how Kansas City might do, so I’ve got the game on in the background. I also made myself a promise to not judge too much on this weblet but the wheels in my mind have been turning fast since I saw the halftime show and I’m going to make an exception today.
First, I wished they’d find something else for halftime other than singers. Maybe show a short movie or a professional marching band, or a comic or basically anything other than a celebrity singer. Why? Because I find it boring to watch someone try to cram all of their hits into one very short performance (30 second snippets of each song) while incorporating every single trick typically used in a pop or rock show (lasers, dancers, fireworks, light shows, crowd interaction). The show is just like anything else that is designed – editing is key. Those who have designed these shows for the last 10+ years have thrown everything at them but the kitchen sink and therefore there is nothing singular to focus on and enjoy. Someone should take a step back and think about editing them.
Second, while I enjoy the music (and tv, and movie) performances of both J Lo and Shakira, I am also disappointed with the organization of this show. It was clear a message was being given with the show. This was blatant with the female symbol outlined in lights as shown by the aerial camera and the chorus of young girls who participated at the end. This show was apparently intended to promote female power and/or opportunities. But the performance contradicted that message in my opinion. Had these two moments in the show not been incorporated, I don’t think I would have any reaction to the show.
I’ve been asking myself if I’m becoming a prude as I grow older and I really don’t think that I am. Women should be able to dance how they want, wear what they want, say what they want and do anything they set their mind to do. I do, however, have a hard time reconciling the message of female empowerment when the person making that statement is wearing very little clothing and dancing on a pole. Shakira is 43 and J Lo is 50. I’m within their age range and applaud those beautiful ladies for looking physically fantastic. I am sure they both work very hard to keep in top physical shape. I also understand they both come from Latino cultures and they enjoy promoting that, and in my opinion, should.
What I find contradictory is that both ladies chose present the message of female empowerment while their performance was highly sexual in nature. I’m reminded of a Beyonce performance from several years ago, that I can’t seem to find now but it was televised. In that performance I remember Beyonce in a bodysuit, on a chair, legs wide open, with the word feminist on the screen behind her. I’ve not forgot it because I found it contradictory. For this Super Bowl show, Shakira made the decision to incorporate a little floor writhing into her dance and J Lo slid across the stage with her crotch, clad in only a thong, pointed directly to the camera. I know that male performers have long done crotch grabs and pelvic thrusts for decades (I’m thinking of you Elvis and Michael Jackson), and I’ve always thought that it was crude, unnecessary to the performance and detracted from the true talent of the singer. I agree that women should be allowed to do the same thing, but it feels like, in an effort to gain equality, many women have lowered their standards to those of some male performers by doing the same crude dance moves. Perhaps this is not the intent, but this is the message that I receive.
I also think about what that says to those younger ladies who we, as an older generation, are trying to help through removing traditional roadblocks and inequalities. Are we saying that the primary way to be strong and powerful is to dress in a manner which shows most of your backside? Yes, I get that we should be allowed to do that but I do wish there were other highly publicized powerful images being shown with women who are wearing more clothing and not shaking their butts. And I’m not talking about sweats or jeans or political pantsuits. I’m talking about those powerful-looking women who manage to look incredibly sexy while being fully clothed in an expertly chosen ensemble. I’m thinking about such Hollywood icons as Grace Kelly, Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Ginger Rogers. In our modern times, the images of both the Duchess of Sussex and Duchess of Cambridge come to mind. On today’s televisions, I like the way that the ladies in Free Form’s ‘The Bold Type’ dress. Although I admit that I question some of the trendy outfits they younger ones wear to work (some seem better fit for a festival or evening out), I do however, love how the boss, Jacquline, is on trend, beautiful and in charge.
My thinking is becoming clearer as I’m writing this, and this is what I would like to see. Shakira and J Lo should be able to give the performances they want and wear what they want, all the while celebrating their incredible talents and physiques. But I’d like the message simply to be that they can do that without question or judgement (yes, I realize I’m a hypocrite here) and let it be what it is. When the highly sexualized performance is combined with a message indicating that women are powerful (female symbol in lights, young girls brought into the performance), I guess that’s what bothers me and what I find contradictory. When the link between the two is hyper-sexual, I think that it’s not really hitting the mark that it should, or that it intended to hit. Women should be allowed to be sexual and express that. Women should be allowed to be in charge and our messages to each other should reinforce that. Women should be allowed to dress attractively and be in charge. However, being powerful and in charge does not require a woman to be sexual in any way and should not be synonymous with wearing a thong and sequins while spinning around a pole. I think our current culture needs to find a way to better balance female-empowerment messages with sexuality. We should be aware that for centuries, female sexuality has seemed to be an underlying reason for men to suppress our voices, seeing us only as Eve-like temptresses. We should work to find ways to express ourselves sexually without combining it with the message that it is the main source of our empowerment. Otherwise I think we will only make it harder to overcome old stereotypes and prejudices.
UPDATE:
I will typically try to write something and let it sit for a day or two before hitting post. This allows me to evaluate if I’m being over reactive to something or if it’s truly how I feel. After two days and re-reading this several times, I feel that although my opinions about the Super Bowl Halftime Show seem to differ from mainstream messages on the internet, I do stand by my opinion. It is just that, my opinion. No one need agree or disagree with me and everyone is free to have their own thoughts.
I have since found out that the young lady singing at the end of the show is J Lo’s daughter and think it’s wonderful that mother and daughter shared a stage together. This however, does not change how I feel about the perceived mixed messages I received and outlined above.
I also enjoy the talents and performances of both ladies and am glad they were chosen for the show this year. I do respect them, just not the message that was presented in this particular show.
