Sorry, J-Lo...but using the female symbol’s a no-go
How super-woke UK director barred star from ‘contentious’ gesture – in Super Bowl show meant to celebrate women’s empowerment
AS A self-made multi-millionaire superstar, Jennifer Lopez is a feminist icon who embodies women’s empowerment.
But the singer has complained that she was banned from using the female gender symbol during her Super Bowl show by a ‘woke’ British director.
The 52-year-old star says Hamish Hamilton told her that she was not to feature the ‘contentious’ symbol in her performance – which was watched by more than 200million worldwide – because it was not inclusive.
Blackpool-born Hamilton got his way – despite the intention for the performance in February 2020 to celebrate women’s achievements.
Ms Lopez, also known as J-Lo, reveals the behind-the-scenes row in her Netflix documentary Halftime, which includes footage of the moment that 56-year-old Hamilton told the American superstar to change her plans.
He’s shown telling her: ‘I’m going to probably be contentious now, but the only thing within it [the
performance] that isn’t subtle – and actually is contentious, given everything that is going on with identity politics at this moment – is the female symbol.
‘I think that could be viewed by some people as being actually exclusive.’
In a reference to the symbolism being too obvious, he adds: ‘I also think that it’s a little bit on the nose.
‘It might have been something done in a Super Bowl a while back and doesn’t have the artistry. I understand the meaning behind it but what you are saying within the show is much more powerful than having that symbol out there.’
J-Lo expressed surprise that Hamilton wanted the symbol banned while approving of having a stage show that featured child dancers performing in cages.
The star, the daughter of immigrant parents from the tough streets of New York’s Bronx, built a career that saw her sell more than 75million records and amass an estimated £325 million fortune.
The theme of the Super Bowl show at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was female empowerment, with J-Lo giving a pole-dancing performance to project an image of confidence.
It featured some 130 dancers, mostly women, in a lively performance intended to reflect the city’s Latin culture.
Her appearance included five costume changes, with each Versace outfit approved by Donatella Versace herself. The show, which also featured Colombian star Shakira, received five Primetime Emmy nominations.
Hamilton started his career at BBC Scotland and has directed the Super Bowl show since 2010.
Two years ago, he directed the Oscars that was dubbed ‘the most woke ever’. Critics claim the ceremony tried too hard to compensate for a lack of diversity among nominees with politically correct acceptance speeches from winners.
Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman and Joaquin Phoenix all made political statements on the night, which attracted 25 per cent fewer viewers than the year before, at
23million. Hamilton also directed the London 2012 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies alongside Danny Boyle and is due to oversee the Commonwealth Games opening event in Birmingham next month.
J-Lo recently became engaged to actor Ben Affleck for a second time after the couple rekindled their relationship, 19 years after they called off their original wedding.