SEIZING the opportunity to make a cultural statement, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira infused the Super Bowl halftime show with an exuberance and joy that celebrated their Latino heritage Sunday.

Their breathless athleticism matched that of the football players waiting in the locker room at Hard Rock Stadium where they played in Miami, Florida, the United States.

Shakira opened with a hip-shaking performance of “She Wolf” and a fast-moving medley that ended with her signature song “Hips Don’t Lie.”

Lopez, coming out in a black leather outfit that her dancers matched, started with a nostalgic snippet of “Jenny From the Block.” She exhibited some startling pole-dancing moves, a reference to her much-celebrated turn in the movie “Hustlers.” At one point she bent into a deep squat while standing on the shoulders of a dancer that likely had muscles aching across the country in sympathy.

She tore through “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Get Right, “On the Floor” and “Que Calor,” finding time to slip away from the black leather into a sparkling silver leotard that left little to the imagination.

Essentially shrinking a concert down to the size of an opening act lasting not much longer than a dozen minutes was a risky move. At times the performance seemed rushed. The guest acts, J. Balvin and Bad Bunny, were superfluous and only served to emphasize the talent of the headliners.

But the first halftime show to celebrate Latino artists was a success.The show was packaged by Jay-Z, who managed the program for the first time in a new deal with the NFL.

Memorably, Lopez’s daughter, Emme, joined her mother for a verse of “Let’s Get Loud,” in which the 11-year girl sang the chorus of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” Her mother appeared in a red, white and blue cape resembling the Puerto Rican flag.

It was a pointed reminder before a television audience that approached 100 million people thatthe island territory is a different part of America, making a powerful statement for inclusion.

The two women came together at the end to sing “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which Shakira composed forthe 2010 World Cup.

“Muchas gracias,” Shakira said as the camera pulled away.

“Thank you so much,” Lopez said.   (SD-Agencies)