Despite reports to the contrary, it seems as though Jennifer Lopez will be joining Pitbull and Claudia Leitte in Brazil for the World Cup opening ceremonies, after all. Yesterday (June 10), the "First Love" singer's publicist confirmed that Lopez will be flying out to Brazil to perform this year's FIFA anthem "We Are One (Ole Ola)."
"Jennifer has always wanted to participate in the World Cup opening ceremonies," Lopez's representative told People. "We have been trying to work out scheduling and logistics. Any statements to the contrary were premature. Jennifer would not want to disappoint her fans or fans of futbol. She will be there."
Lopez was originally reported to not be appearing at the World Cup opening ceremonies due to unforeseen "production issues," though rumors circulated the real reason she was cancelling was due to her recent split with boyfriend Casper Smart.
But, regardless, it seems like Lopez will be a true professional, joining rapper Pitbull and Brazillian singer Leitte, after all.
Despite the trio's full presence in Brazil, this year's World Cup anthem hasn't exactly warranted a lot of positive reviews, from both critics and the people of Brazil.
As Music Times previously reported, Brazilians are largely unhappy with the song not just for its generic, bland pop but for its assumption that "whatever, all Latinos are basically the same." Lopez is of Puerto Rican dissent and from the Bronx and Pitbull is a Cuban-American, via Miami. Leitte, a prominent Brazilian pop star, is featured on the track, but she clearly plays, uh, third fiddle to Americans Lopez and Pitbull.
Listen to the controversial track below, via it's very colorful music video:
