From the moment it was announced that the very talented Jennifer Lopez would perform a Motown tribute at Sunday’s 2019 Grammys, people started questioning why she was chosen for the occasion, instead of, say, a black singer influenced by Motown’s classic style. Well, J. Lo’s actual performance probably didn’t quell anyone’s concerns, pairing as it did hits like “Dancing in the Street” and “Please Mr. Postman” with salsa dancing and some nude sequined leotard looks. Twitter, as you might expect, didn’t hesitate to weigh in, declaring the set more of a tribute to Jennifer Lopez than to Motown itself. And the VMAs literally just did that in August!
But if there’s one person who loved J.Lo’s participation, it was her performing partner, actual Motown legend Smokey Robinson. “I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset,” the singer told Variety when asked about the controversy. “I think everybody who’s upset is stupid.” Declared Robinson, “Motown was music for everybody. Everybody.”
JLo is an amazing artist... who I love! But she was not right person for the Motown tribute... and the salsa dance near the end of her performance proved that. Name 1 Motown artist who salsa danced. #GRAMMMYs #jlo #Motown
— Karamo (@Karamo) February 11, 2019The entire twitter after that #JLO tribute to #MOTOWN pic.twitter.com/prXRFVgzPp
— The Extraordinary Xilla (@BlogXilla) February 11, 2019JLo performing the “Motown tribute:
me: pic.twitter.com/AgUXFq5EDt
— Broderick Greer (@BroderickGreer) February 11, 2019Black America watching J. Lo's Motown Tribute pic.twitter.com/323CLBKSPB
— 🖤. (@MsPackyetti) February 11, 2019Michelle Obama could’ve stuck around and done the Motown tribute if it was that dire
— Ira (@ira) February 11, 2019They really got JLo lip syncing Motown’s finest songs like there’s not 1000 black women with R&B vocals ready for this moment #GRAMMMYs
— Sylvia (@SylviaObell) February 11, 2019Everyone during J. Lo's Motown tribute #Grammys pic.twitter.com/RQUUIy549c
— Michael Blackmon (@blackmon) February 11, 2019Am I the only one confused by the choice of J. Lo for the #Motown tribute...I mean completely confused? #GRAMMYs
— Karen Hunter (@karenhunter) February 11, 2019This JLo performance is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever witnessed, made more apparent by ARod’s face #grammys pic.twitter.com/Vqd1FFKyl4
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) February 11, 2019“Yes girl they got JLo doing Motown!“ #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/9lLwCpM9sI
— Joshua Dontae (@_that1boyJosh) February 11, 2019Lmmfaooo omg my Mom’s Reaction to JLo doing the Motown Tribute 💀💀💀 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/LZkbDz7QMJ
— Sexologist Tyomi Morgan, ACS (@Glamazontyomi) February 11, 2019Related
Would You Believe Not Everyone Liked J.Lo’s Motown Tribute?ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7t8HLrayrnV6YvK57kWlocmdgZ3yovsCmpLKrXWd9coWMo2Slp6NiurDAzrClZqyinq%2B2wMRmqZ6blZ7Dpr%2BMm5ico5yWwKl6x62kpQ%3D%3D