Entertainment
Super Bowl LIV: JLo and Shakira Talk Halftime Show Songs, Kobe Bryant, Making History
Published
6 years agoon
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Latina megastars Jennifer Lopez and Shakira have Miami fired up for the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show coming up on Sunday, but the Latina legends were pretty coy with the press Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
The singers have twelve songs under consideration, but Lopez stated many times that she didn’t want to spoil what the ladies had in store for Sunday’s halftime show. What she did share is that she and Shakira are very unique artists who equally admire each other. “After we finished the run-through, Shakira said, ‘That was amazing!’ and I said, ‘No, you were amazing!’…Her songs are very Shakira, and my songs are very Jennifer.” Lopez feels that their different musical and performance styles will keep viewers watching. “[It’s] a lot of energy…very entertaining. I think we run the gamut.”
On Kobe Bryant
Both Shakira and Lopez mourn the shocking loss of Kobe Bryant, and Shakira spoke to that during the press conference. “I can’t deny the pain [Kobe’s] family’s going through right now…Life is so fragile. I know we’ll all be thinking of Kobe on Sunday, and we’ll be celebrating life.” When asked if they would do a tribute to Bryant, Lopez reiterated that she didn’t want to give away too much about their performance. Shakira added that their halftime show will be a celebration of diversity.
Jennifer Lopez aims to fire her special edition Super Bowl LIV football into the press audience during the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show Press Conference at the Hilton Miami Downtown Thursday, January 30, 2020. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
Girl Power: Making Super Bowl History
Supporting Shakira’s comments on diversity, Lopez added the historical significance of this year’s Super Bowl concerning women. “The two teams playing in this year’s Super Bowl, the Chiefs and the 49ers, are run by women. And then you’ve got two women performing this year’s halftime show. That statement alone for me is empowering…to see two Latinas doing this at this time in our country is very empowering, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Super Bowl LIV kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
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“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage
Published
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November 6, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.
Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.
Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.
About Steglich Ross and Associates
Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.
Entertainment
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.
During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.
“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”
That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.
His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”
Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.
“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”
His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.
When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.
“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.
In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.
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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com