The AMAs 2020 ceremony went down on Sunday, November 22, and it featured a slew of show-stopping performances. Megan Thee Stallion! Katy Perry! BTS!
But one of the highlights of the evening was Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, who performed their duet “Pa’ Ti + Lonely” live for the first time. (The song is on the soundtrack for their upcoming movie, Marry Me.) It was a spellbinding set, filled with choreography, trippy lights, and sweaty chemistry between Lopez and Maluma. So sweaty, in fact, that ABC censors were allegedly “freaking out” over it before showtime, according to according to Page Six. (They were also reportedly pressed over Megan Thee Stallion’s performance, which was iconic.)
But what was there to stress about? The raised eyebrows over this performance remind me so much of how folks were up in arms over Lopez and Shakira’s 2020 Super Bowl halftime show. There was nothing in it that was more or less suggestive than what male performers have done for years. They just caught flak because they’re women. It’s messed up.
I, for one, thought Lopez and Maluma’s performance was incredible. Am I still sweating? Yes. But in the best way possible.
Jennifer Lopez and Maluma weren’t nominated for anything at the AMAs 2020, but they have my vote for best performance. And in 2021, they’ll have my vote for best picture when their film Marry Me premieres. Costarring Owen Wilson, the movie centers on a pop star who learns her rock star partner is having an affair behind her back, so she proposes to a random fan holding a “Marry Me” sign at her concert. It’s set to come out May 14, 2021. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to experience that in a rowdy, crowded movie theater.
