MIAMI, FL — Don’t be surprised if rapper Pitbull makes a surprise appearance during Sunday’s Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime show in Miami with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. But one person who definitely won’t be performing is Gloria Estefan, the singer tells Patch.
“I’ve done it twice. I think the women that are doing it this year — JLO, Shakira — are perfect to represent Miami right now,” Estefan said Thursday night in an interview with Patch.
The Super Bowl requires a big commitment. “No matter what, it’s a high-stress event. Being on the Super Bowl doesn’t just mean you get on the show,” she confided. “For months before, that would have meant no Christmas enjoyment, got to watch the voice, got to be on a strict diet.”
Estefan has already performed twice at past Super Bowls, once with Prince in Minneapolis back in 1992 and again with Stevie Wonder in 1999.
“You got to look great for the cameras. It’s great. You do great, millions of people see you,” Estefan recalled. “You mess up, millions of people see you. Done it twice. It went great. I don’t want to break that record.”
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Estefan’s famous husband, Emilio, told Patch his greatest memories of the Super Bowl revolve around the three Super Bowl halftime shows that he produced, particularly the one with his wife in 1999.
“One of them that I enjoyed, when I did Tony Bennett with Patti LaBelle that I produced and the one that Gloria did with Stevie Wonder,” he told Patch. “It was special for me because I produced it here in Miami. The other one was in Minneapolis. Always, when you do it at home, it’s a big celebration for me because I think we bring a little bit of the sound of Miami.”
The Estefans served as honorary chairs of The Official Miami Super Bowl Host Committee VIP Party at Bal Harbour Shops Thursday night. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which was launched in 1985 with the help of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and former Miami Dolphin Nick Buoniconti after his son, Marc, suffered a spinal cord injury during a college football game.
“Anything that makes money for the Miami Project for me is going to be very important. Tonight benefits Miami Project,” Estefan asserted. “We’ve been working for a long time on the cure for paralysis. They’ve made amazing breakthroughs. Inviting everybody on a great Super Bowl weekend. Close down the mall. Everybody is shopping and enjoying, but for me, it’s all about the project.”
Actor Tommy Lee Jones and Argentine polo player Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras were also among the honorary hosts while other celebrities in attendance included famed Miami artist Romero Britto and the Pointer sisters, who gave a private performance for attendees.
Britto said he too participated in a previous Super Bowl ceremony but he knows better than to offer a prediction ahead of Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
“I have no idea. Let’s see what’s going to happen,” the artist said with a smile. “The winner is going to win.”
In addition to the VIP guest list, the Super Bowl event also featured Brazilian samba dancers, colorful models in futuristic outfits and even an appearance by the Lombardi Trophy.
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The Estefans said they too will not try to pick the winner of Sunday’s game.
Gloria Estefan did share with Patch what it was like to perform at her first Super Bowl some 28 years ago.
“I was on a tiny little stand that went 50 feet in the air,” she said. “It was the first time I had ever done something of that magnitude, and it was really impressive to me. I’ll never forget it. You couldn’t see the game really, but we were right on the sidelines. It was very exciting.”