This past Sunday, February 2nd, the most widely viewed television event of the year aired: the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is of course watched for the football game but people can not stop talking about icon Jennifer Lopez’s amazing half time show performance. J. Lo, who was also joined by another icon Shakira, have arguably put on one of the most epic halftime shows the Super Bowl has seen yet. Lopez’s performance may have been more than just entertainment as people are questioning if her performance was hinting at underlining political issues.
On February 4th, The New York Times Arts section article writer, Julia Jacobs, posted an article titled “Operations, Covert and Overt, at the Super Bowl”. The article discusses if pop sensations were trying to make subtle political statements during the Super Bowl, as nothing has been confirmed or denied. Jacobs talks about Beyoncé and Jay-Z sitting during the national Anthem and of course J. Lo’s halftime performance. Jacobs puts into question if J. Lo wearing a feathery floor-length jacket that showed the American flag on one side and the Puerto Rican flag on the other and the children performing in what could be perceived as cages had a deeper meaning. Was this a subtle political hint referencing to Trumps administration practice of detaining migrant children separately from their parents (Jacobs). Well, we are simply not sure. 
Lopez’s representatives have not commented on this claim and I believe the audience will truly never know if anything was intentional or not. In the article, Jacobs discusses peoples mixed thoughts on the possible political statements. Some of the more hard-core football fans find it “eye-rolling” while other Super Bowl viewers found the subtle message to be smart and appreciate someone like J. Lo spreading awareness of an ongoing political issue.
As Lopez’s representative, I would have done the same thing in not confirming nor denying if she did make a political statement. In my opinion, yes it was a subtle political statement however, I found it genius. I think it is so clever to get people to think about serious political issues without using words and creating subtle symbols that make people think. As Lopez’s representative I would continue to create subtle hints that prove to make a powerful statement, specifically the political issue of immigration as that hits close to home for her. I would also have Lopez continue to donate to the relief effort and have her do a yearly service trip to Puerto Rico. This helps show that she is really passionate about this political issue without actually verbally commenting on it.
This story was most defiantly media driven, as the article is unbiased and only states facts about peoples opinion of if Lopez’s performance was a subtle hint to ongoing political issues. We may never know the answer to the political statements but I commend J. Lo for her iconic performance and having people question the ongoing political immigration issue. I believe she achieved what she wanted in showing her support, having people discuss the issue yet not saying anything verbally.
http:/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/03/arts/super-bowl-politics.html