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.
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.”
J. Lo better not salsa her way to the cookout because she is uninvited for that terrible performance. 😂 How do you do a Motown tribute without an ALL BLACK cast of artists?! And it’s Black History Month too. 🤦🏾♂️#GRAMMYs #Grammy2019
— Jared Sawyer Jr. (@JaredSawyerJr) February 11, 2019
People who could’ve done the Motown tribute:
-Gladys Knight
-Stevie Wonder
-Patti Labelle
-Jennifer Hudson
-Tina Turner
Or practically anyone else #GRAMMYs— Jared Sawyer Jr. (@JaredSawyerJr) February 11, 2019
@RecordingAcad I don’t understand how you could #whitewash #MotownTribute w/ @JLo. We like her well enough but not for this. There are literally 1000s of black musicians that would have performed. This is why #Motown was formed because black artist couldn’t get a chance.
— Benti F. (@FrankiB) February 11, 2019
I like J.Lo and all but….
How you gonna do Motown like that in black history month????#GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/hnEwOKYHWW— Ash Ketchum (@3xcalib3r) February 11, 2019
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.”