By Myra Leon
Shakira’s World Cup Success Translates During Halftime Performance
On September 26, 2019, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira both announced that they will be performing during the 2020 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show.
This announcement came after Jay-Z’s record label, Roc Nation, announced that they will be partnering with the NFL. Since Miami is widely recognized as the global capital of the Latin music business, Jay-Z’s affiliation was instrumental to bring both Latin women to the stage.
Although both women made history as the first Latina artists to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, Shakira made more impressions during and after the show. According to an analysis of Google search data, J.Lo had fewer searches than Shakira despite her recent role in the motion picture, Hustlers.
Prior to performing on the NFL stage, Shakira had already performed on a worldwide stage during the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cup closing ceremonies. During the 2010 World Cup, she performed the biggest-selling World Cup song of all time, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
Although both Latina artists have a huge social following and have successful careers in the entrainment industry. Did Shakira’s prior success on a worldwide stage trump Jennifer Lopez’s success on the NFL stage? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
José Altuve Singled Out
On November 12, 2019, Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich released an article on The Athletic exposing the Houston Astros for illegally stealing signs using electronics for three years, from 2017 to 2019. It was revealed that they had a camera in center field, a video monitor near the dugout, banging on trash cans to signal pitches. One of the alleged players that was involved in the cheating scandal was 2017 American League MVP, José Altuve.
According to an analysis of Google search data, the second basemen had more searches than two other players who were also allegedly involved in the scandal, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa.
During the 2019 American League Championship, Altuve hit a walk-off home off New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to clinch the series. As he crossed the plate, he told teammates not to rip off his jersey and clutched the buttons with his hands. There was speculation that Astros hitters had used buzzers to signal pitching changes.
Although José Altuve denied these allegations, many fans and critics are unsure who to believe after a recent statement was made from teammate Carlos Correa.
In response to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger, Carlos Correa defended his teammate by stating that he didn’t partake in any methods used to cheat. He also mentioned that the reason why he didn’t want his shirt ripped off was because he had an unfinished tattoo. This statement came after José Altuve revealed that his wife didn’t want him to have his shirt ripped off.
Since the Houston Astros confirmed that they did cheat, many players in the league have inputted their take on the situation. As of now, the Houston Astros still remain the 2017 World Series Champions.
Myra Leon Data Journalism 