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"Life is so fragile and that is why we have to
try and live every moment as intensely as we can," Shakira told
a packed news conference. "We will be celebrating life,
celebrating diversity in this country.
"I am sure he (Bryant) will be very proud to see the message we
are going to try to convey on stage because I think it is a very
big moment for our community, the Latino community in this
country."
Stopping short of saying they were planning a direct tribute to
Bryant, the 18-times NBA All-Star who was killed in the crash
along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others on
Sunday, Lopez and Shakira promised a fun, power-packed 12-minute
show but wanted to make a point.
"I think this is just affecting everybody so much because it is
reminding us, again, how fragile life is and how we have to
appreciate every single moment," Lopez said. "It can be taken
away from us so easily.
"We have to love each other, we have to be together, we have to
support each other we can't be so at odds all the time. That's
part of our mission and our message too."
Like the Super Bowl commercials, the halftime show is an event
unto itself, attracting a stand-alone audience that has no
particular interest in the game.
The halftime shows typically feature many of the world’s
top-selling artists and last year's with headliners Maroon 5
attracted nearly 100 million viewers.
The last time the Super Bowl was staged in Miami in 2010 British
rock giants The Who topped the bill.
With Miami's large Latino community and Latin vibe, Shakira and
Lopez, performing together for the first time, would appear to
be the perfect fit for this year's Super Bowl.
Lopez, an actress and singer known for hits such as "Love Don’t
Cost a Thing" and "If You had My Love", stars in the movie
"Hustlers" which is generating buzz in Hollywood.
Colombian singer Shakira, a three-times Grammy winner, is one of
the world’s best-selling Latin music stars. She found
international fame with her 2006 single “Hips Don’t Lie”.
While the singers offered no hint of any political protest they
made it clear their presence on the Super Bowl stage was sending
a strong message, particularly to young Latino girls.
"The 49ers and Chiefs are run by women and you've got two women
heading the halftime show. That statement alone for me is
empowering," Lopez said.
"When I think of my daughter, when I think of all the little
girls in the world to see that, two Latinos doing that at this
time in our country it is just very empowering."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
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