Jennifer Lopez Inappropriately Brings “JLO” to Motown at The Grammys

Jennifer Lopez and Smokey Robinson at The Grammys
Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock

Jennifer Lopez’s presence alone just about guarantees a solid, show-stopping performance at any show, but that doesn’t make it an appropriate choice, especially when Motown is involved. She’s received hefty criticism as the choice performer for the Grammys’ Motown tribute, in which she sang “My Girl,” alongside Smokey Robinson, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” with Alicia Keys, “Another Star” with Ne-Yo, “Please Mr. Postman”, and “Money (That’s What I Want).”

Berry Gordy, who founded Motown Records in 1959 sat in the audience and according to Lopez, was “thrilled” with her involvement. During his tenure, Gordy signed some serious titans, including The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Commodores, the Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5. The twitter-sphere has rightfully suggested that Gladys Knight or Stevie Wonder would have been a far more suitable choice. Lopez furthered that, “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.” Smokey Robinson also came to her defense, saying, “Anyone who is upset is stupid.”

First, I resent being called stupid for making an extremely obvious-yet-important point. To quote one twitter user, “No doubt Latinos would be upset if they had a black soul singer doing a tribute to Latin music.” Additionally, while Motown lives in everyone’s heart, I find it distasteful to forgo using a black artist, especially during Black History Month. Have we learned NOTHING? Remember Emma Stone’s recent “I’m Sorry” exclamation about playing an Asian-American role in ‘Aloha?” Or how about Scarlett Johansson whitewashing ‘Ghost in a Shell?’ To say it’s simply about the art, is to demean the contribution of African American artists who represent the history of Motown. It’s whitewashing, and it’s extremely important to point out — NOT stupid. Finally, if you’re going to do a Motown tribute — at the very least — change up your standard “JLO.” I love a good leotard, and she can certainly rock it, but nothing about her performance suggested Motown. Nothing except the songs itself.

Second Act — Movie Review

Second Act Movie Poster Jennifer LopezI’m no Roger Ebert, and it can therefore be somewhat difficult to articulate why a movie doesn’t quite land. In the case of Second Act, it’s pretty easy.  The movie is so on-the-nose predictable it feels as if the writer took its formula from a screenwriting book on Amazon and just plugged in new names.

I saw Second Act with my folks, and my father’s limited knowledge of pop culture meant he walked in blind to the film’s plot. His confusion was noteworthy. “What is this movie about,” he asked cantankerously. “I feel as if I walked in twenty minutes late,” he furthered. When I told him it’s about reinvention or a woman’s second shot at a new path in life, he barked, “Well that is NOT clear.”

Second Act begins with Maya’s (Jennifer Lopez) attempt at landing a big promotion. When she is passed up for a more education man, her friend Joan’s (Leah Remini) internet-savvy son submits her resume to another job without her knowledge. Because the resume is filled with inflated lies about her education and work history, she lands it. What follows is a poor man’s Working Girl (insert rivalry, a jealous and suspicious employee, and a former boss who could blow her cover). As for the rivalry, it comes with a twist that removes the movie’s conflict far too early in the film. The subsequent schmaltz-fest is just too much to bare. There’s a little levity provided by the very funny Leah Remini but unfortunately for the television comedy veteran, she simply does not have much to work with.

It should be noted that I’m a massive fan of Jennifer Lopez, and I very much wanted this movie to work. Romantic comedies are far and few between these days, and I appreciate the effort.

Jennifer Lopez Releases Amor, Amor, Amor featuring Wisin — Hot Damn

Jennifer Lopez’s new video, ‘Amor, Amor, Amor’ is dated, and it’s dated in all the best ways. From her vintage guess shirt to her signature over sized gold hoops with leather joggers and gelled baby hair, she’s rocking a serious throwback to my Miami upbringing. Though I like the song, the video showcases the singer’s seriously hot bod. Watch her work it with an assist from Wisin below.

Tabloid Gossip: Your Week of News

Lamar Odom came clean about cheating on Khloe KardashianContact Music

Kim Kardashian wants another baby. E! Online

Mary J. Blige opened up about the end of her marriage. BET

Jared Pedalecki and his wife welcomed a daughter. Popsugar

David Arquette had another baby. Us Magazine

Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna are back together . . . again. Bossip

Scarlett Johansson’s divorce just got messy. Newser

Don’t call Candace Cameron Bure a homophobe. Wet Paint

Naya Rivera and David Spade are dating. Entertainment Tonight

Alec Baldwin discussed his drug abuse. Too Fab

ARod and JLO are twinning. Wonderwall

Lauren Conrad showcased her baby bump. MSNBC

Dear Mariah Carey — “I Don’t” Either

Remember the day when Mariah Carey claimed to “not know” Jennifer Lopez, and the world pounced? Well perhaps it’s time she does “know” her, considering JLO completely re-branded her image and dresses in a way that actually compliments her body. I realize we live in a world that begs women to empower other women, but I live in a world that begs women to play to their strengths, and strutting around in a barely-there ensemble with her titties spilling out — is NOT Mariah’s strength. The fashion choices are not only aesthetically deplorable, they’re unflattering and thirsty. Furthermore, it doesn’t go with the song at all. This is a heartbreak song, and I’m at a loss as to how stumbling on the top of a car in a garter has anything to do with the lyrics. She can barely stand. This is not empowering, it’s embarrassing. She’s too good for this. She’s too pretty for this. I expect more from Mariah Carey. I’m also so distracted by the awful outfits I can’t even tell you if the song is any good. It might have something to do with trust, which is baffling considering she’s the one who flirted with her dancer during her entire reality show. Perhaps James Packer should be sitting on top of an expensive car waxing on about heartbreak instead.

The Gossip Game: Get Your Tabloid News Now

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Drake and JLO are heating up . . . for publicity? E! Online

The Brangelina battle rages on. MSN

Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj broke up. Celebuzz

Mariah Carey’s ex-husband has something to say about her career. Contact Music

Jonathan Rhys Meyers welcomed a son. People

Kim Kardashian is ready to exploit her robbery. The Superficial

T.I. and Tiny are putting their divorce differences aside. Wet Paint

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are going strong. Wonderwall

Britney Spears‘ boyfriend has some serious abs. TMZ

Ciara dropped her defamation lawsuit against Future. Idolator

Megyn Kelly is leaving Fox News for NBC. Jezebel

Pink and Carey Hart welcomed their second child. Pop Sugar

Vivica A. Fox landed in hot water from the gay community. Too Fab

Lamar Odom finished rehab. LA Times

Serena Williams flaunted her engagement ring. LA Times

Tabloid Gossip: Christmas Came Early!

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Image Courtesy of Bella Thorne

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott are financially squeezed. Wet Paint

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo wants you to boycott A&E. BuddyTV

Charlie Puth, Bella Thorne, and Tyler Posey are in a love triangle. TMZ

Did Gigi Hadid reject Zayn Malik’s marriage proposal? Contact Music

Kanye West cancelled his European tour dates. WGO

Jennifer Lopez and Drake want you to think they’re dating. RTW

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively brought their kids out in public. Stuff

Margot Robbie secretly tied the knot. E! Online

Sienna Miller and her ex-fiance still live together. Belfast Telegraph

Khloe Kardashian’s NBA boyfriend Tristan Thompson just had a baby. Radar Online

Amy Schumer bought back her family farm. Yahoo!

Zooey Deschanel is pregnant with baby #2. MSN

Scott Baio was attacked by the wife of a chili pepper. Page Six

Is baby #3 on the way for Gisele Bundchen? Wonderwall

Miles Teller was in a car accident with an uber driver. THR

Zoe Kravitz is smoking hot. Pop Sugar

Derek Hough Ditches DWTS for NBC’s ‘World of Dance’

There is no bigger fan of Derek Hough than myself. But when today’s news broke that he’ll be joining Ne-Yo and Jennifer Lopez as judges for a new “dance competition that will feature solo artists competing against duos and crews in all genres of dance,” I couldn’t help but feel crestfallen. First, forgive me for wanting to see Hough actually dance rather than sit behind a judging table. I’d have preferred an X Factor format where each judge gets a team and competes with their own choreography. Hough should be choreographing a Broadway play, not doing this. Second, JLO’s judging days seem slightly overplayed. Unless her contribution on another talent show is significantly different than her previous stints, it feels as if she’s doing more talking than creating. Yes, she’s JLO and she can do both, but isn’t this more of a glorified money play than an actual quest to find dance talent. Lastly, I will ask the same question we ask on Passover. Why is this night/show different than other nights/shows? That remains to be seen.

Tabloid Gossip — Your Week of Links

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Justin Bieber and Sophia Richie are going strong. Us Magazine

Anna Chlumsky had baby #2. LA Times

Kylie Jenner’s breasts suddenly grew. MSN

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart are kaput. USA Today

Kate Gosselin said Jon changed overnight. Too Fab

Joe Jonas has a new lady love. People

Courtney Cox  has some regrets. Yahoo!

Bella Thorne is bisexual. Bella Pendergast

Zoe Saldana posted a funny video with her twins. Just Jared

Hope Solo was suspended from soccer. Slate

Lupita Nyong’o has a boyfriend. Wonderwall

Joshua Jackson’s on-screen romance just moved off screen. Radar Online

Ariana Grande has a new man. TMZ

Mischa Barton lost a lawsuit. People

Tabloid Gossip – Your Week of Links

A night to remember…🌟 📷: @denisetruscello

A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on

Rosie O’Donnell and her daughter reunited. MSN

Keshia Knight Pulliam named her baby after her divorce drama. ABC

Former Desperate Housewife star Jesse Metcalfe is engaged. Just Jared

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber traded Instagram barbs. Yahoo!

Actor Thomas Gibson was fired from Criminal Minds. E! Online

Kylie Minogue got married. Contact Music

JLO beat Britney. Shade Room

Lisa Marie Presley is receiving help for her addiction. Wet Paint

Leo and his new supermodel had a crash accident. Popsugar

Ivanka Trump has an adorable baby. People

Ryan Lochte is still a bozo. Vanity Fair

Chris Hardwick just proved that nerds can get the girl too. Us Weekly

Kim Kardashian has a look-a-like. TMZ

Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill are moving in together. Bossip

Nick Cannon is still broken over Mariah Carey. Rolling Out