Like It Or Not, Here’s Why The Super Bowl Halftime Show Was Important For The Underrepresented

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Super Bowl halftime show has always been a hot-button for controversy and this year was no different. Beyond being an all-female performance, the halftime show respectfully represented a collection of different cultures.

Whether you approve or disapprove of the content of the halftime show, it was a historic performance that represented many minority people. I speak from the perspective of a Polynesian, however, I know that the need for public, cultural representation is felt by everyone.

Parris Renee Goebel, a New Zealand born choreographer is one of the hottest dancers/singers working right now.

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Me and the girls surprised Jen one rehearsal and made up this dance break to a Mi gente remix. As I was creating it I wanted to add “Love dont cost a thing” in there as that was my fave dance break when I was a little girl. She loveddd it and it made the show. @jlo and the girls killed it, it might be my fave part😍 @jbalvin @majorlazer #Superbowl2020

A post shared by PARRI$ (@parrisgoebel) on Feb 4, 2020 at 4:18pm PST

Goebel is of Samoan, Chinese and Scottish descent and one of the most talented dancers from New Zealand, but you’ve probably never heard of her. Her dance group, The Royal Family, is full of talented Polynesian dancers but you’ve probably never heard of them. The group was as important to Super Bowl LIV as offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

In October of 2019, Jennifer Lopez invited the 28-year-old choreographer to collaborate and together they came up with J.Lo’s routine.

In September she choreographed Rihanna’s fashion show in New York City, at the same time choreographed the smash, viral video to Justin Bieber’s Yummy featuring her largely Polynesian dance group the Royal Family.

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NZ ➡️ SUPERBOWL LIV 2020 🏆 The Royal Family Old & New represent us in Miami for this years SuperBowl Halftime show with @jlo ✨ Choreographed by @parrisgoebel 👅 DREAM BIG!!! 💜💜 #HARDWORKPAYSOFF #PASSIONNEVERSLEEPS #CROWNSUP 👑👑👑

A post shared by The Official Royal Family 👑 (@officialroyalfamilydancecrew) on Feb 2, 2020 at 7:35am PST

Goebel is fusing modern dance, hip-hop and popular culture with unabashed brown-ness and I am ALL for it.

The Super Bowl LIV halftime show featured two female music superstars. Shakira is Colombian, Lebanese and her performance absolutely reflected her particular blend of cultures including the zaghrouta – look that up or see below.

Shakira — whose father is Lebanese — appeared to perform a traditional Arab vocal expression known as a "zaghrouta” during her halftime Super Bowl performance.https://t.co/lkOmF35cX9

— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) February 3, 2020

Jennifer Lopez is a first-generation American, with parents from Puerto Rico. During the performance, J-Lo wore a feathered, cape-like garment that featured the Puerto Rican Flag. As she was flaunting the flag her daughter stood next to her singing Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The USA.”

Amazing moment during the super bowl halftime show. J Lo singing with her daughter! Also the most Puerto Rican thing to do is bring out that flag, lmao #Proud #LFG #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/cTbGLJVlUU

— Heather (@PRFLgal47) February 3, 2020

Parris Goebel is a blend of European-Polynesian who worked her way from the suburbs of New Zealand to Hollywood. When she had the opportunity to choreograph the halftime show of the biggest sports event of the year, she used her Polynesian dance group.

I found representation in this halftime show and I found something to be proud of.