Jennifer Lopez took the stage with Smokey Robinson at the 2019 Grammy Awards to honor Motown Records. She performed hits like “Dancing in the Street,” “Do You Love Me,” “The Best Things in Life Are Free” and more, while wearing numerous sparkling numbers, including a one-piece with a deep v cut.

Jennifer Lopez Stands By Her Performance; Smoky Robinson Defends Grammys Motown Performance 1

Jennifer Lopez Stands By Her Performance; Smoky Robinson Defends Grammys Motown Performance 2

Jennifer Lopez Stands By Her Performance; Smoky Robinson Defends Grammys Motown Performance 3

Lopez told E! she planned to dedicate the performance to her mom Lupe.

“Mommy, this is for you because we used to dance around to this music,” the Second Act star, 49, said. “I grew up with this music and me and my sisters, the three of us, we were, like, the backups. We were The Temptations and we just sing with her and I feel it’s a dream come true.”

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Many Twitter users were quick to criticize Lopez’s participation in the Motown tribute, calling for black performers to honor the genre that was launched by Berry Gordy with artists like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips and The Temptations.



Preacher Jared Sawyer Jr. tweeted on Sunday. “How do you do a Motown tribute without an ALL BLACK cast of artists?! And it’s Black History Month too.”

Robinson, 78, had no problem with Lopez honoring Motown, defending the choice to Variety at Saturday’s Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy gala.



“I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset,” he said. “I think anyone who is upset is stupid.”

The “Being With You” singer said Motown music was “for everybody.”

“Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?” Smokey asked. —People

Lopez defended her connection to Motown in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“The thing about music is that it inspires all,” Lopez said. “Any type of music can inspire any type of artist. You can’t tell people what to love. You can’t tell people what they can and can’t do, what they should sing or not sing. You gotta do what’s in your heart.”

As for those critics? “That’s okay,” Lopez said to Entertainment Tonight. “I’m just very humbled and honored to be able to have sung those songs.”

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