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Super Bowl LIV: JLo and Shakira Talk Halftime Show Songs, Kobe Bryant, Making History

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Latina legends Shakira (left) and Jennifer Lopez ready their special edition Super Bowl LIV footballs to toss them 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.

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.

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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Entertainment

WATCH: FNN News Podcast en Español, Tuesdays at 6:30pm EST

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, Florida National News’ Spanish-language platform, FNN News Podcast en Español, kicks off 2026 with powerful conversations on the issues that matter most to our Spanish-speaking communities in Florida and beyond.
Hosted by Monica Hoyos, Javier Garcia, Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, and Rosarito Jordan, the podcast dives into today’s hottest topics—news, politics, community issues, culture, business, and stories that impact our everyday lives.
This podcast is more than a show—it’s a community forum. Our mission is to inform, empower, and elevate Latino voices, creating a trusted space where perspectives are heard, questions are asked, and solutions are explored together.
We want to hear from you.
Community leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, creatives, and everyday changemakers are invited to join the conversation and be a guest on the show. Your voice matters, and your story can inspire others.
Expect more in 2026—more dialogue, more representation, deeper conversations, and a stronger connection to the communities we serve.
– FNN News Podcast en Español
– Tuesdays | 6:30 PM
– Your voice. Your community. Your news.
FNN SPAINSH
Los martes a las 6:30 p. m., la plataforma en español de Florida National News, FNN News Podcast en Español, da inicio al 2026 con conversaciones poderosas sobre los temas que más importan a nuestras comunidades hispanohablantes en Florida y más allá.
Conducido por Mónica Hoyos, Javier García, María del Carmen Rodríguez y Rosarito Jordan, el podcast aborda los temas más relevantes del momento, incluyendo noticias, política, asuntos comunitarios, cultura, negocios y las historias que impactan nuestra vida diaria.
Este podcast es más que un programa: es un foro comunitario. Nuestra misión es informar, empoderar y elevar las voces latinas, creando un espacio confiable donde se escuchan las perspectivas, se plantean preguntas y se construyen soluciones en conjunto.
Queremos escucharte.
Líderes comunitarios, empresarios, defensores, creativos y agentes de cambio están invitados a sumarse a la conversación y ser invitados especiales del programa. Tu voz importa y tu historia puede inspirar a otros.
Espera más en este 2026: más diálogo, más representación, conversaciones más profundas y una conexión más fuerte con las comunidades a las que servimos.
– FNN News Podcast en Español
– Martes | 6:30 p. m.
– Tu voz. Tu comunidad. Tus noticias.

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Central Florida News

“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage

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ORLANDO, 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.

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Entertainment

Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility

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Source: Jeffery Williams

ORLANDO, 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.”

Kareen Kennedy wearing her JLorenzos in 2019

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.

Photo Courtesy of Jeffery Williams

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.

_________________________________________________________________

Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

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