This past September 5, 2025, at the historic season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Karol G became the featured performer at the highly anticipated Halftime Show, held at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo and streamed live and free on YouTube.
It was a symbolic moment for the Colombian artist, considered a global icon, as she fused her Latin music with one of the most watched sports venues in the world.
Karol G presented an overwhelming energy, performing live songs from her new album Tropicoqueta, including “Bandida Entrenada” (with lyrics in Portuguese), “Gatito Me Llamó”, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and “Papasito”, which closed the show.
Her entrance was striking: she emerged from a giant flower and wore an outfit with a brown bra adorned with pineapples and a short skirt.
This marked a milestone as the first Latina artist to headline an NFL Halftime Show in South America, celebrating Latin culture at an event of international scope.
Karol G is mercilessly called ‘TEMU Shakira’.
Although it was a historic performance, the reception was not unanimous. Some spectators and Brazilian media reported that the acoustics of the stadium hindered the clarity of Karol G’s voice, especially in songs like “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”.
They also noted that the show failed to fully connect with local audiences, in contrast to the past reception of artists such as Anitta.
Since the announcement of the show, comments began about how Karol G was compared to Shakira, especially for her iconic Halftime Shows performances, such as the iconic Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez, one of the most watched in history.
In networks such as X, harsh opinions were expressed, rooms in the tone of plebeian fans, questioning his performance, choreography, costumes and stage energy in contrast to the stellar Halftime Shows of the past.
Comments such as “Dancing 0, Singing 0, Charisma 0” were part of the popular criticism, although synthesized with little evidence (for the context of the Brazilian public).
Karol G brought a moment of strong Latin visibility to the NFL; her show was innovative and transgressive. But the technical challenges and comparisons with already established figures in the industry highlight the high expectations that come with starring in events of this magnitude.
Here you can watch Karol G’s halftime show at the NFL and why she was compared to Shakira.
Find out more at‘QueOnnda.com’.
