Jennifer Lopez Pulls Out Of World Cup Opening Ceremony

She was due to sing ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ with Pitbull

Published 9th Jun 2014

Jennifer Lopez has pulled out of performing at the World Cup opening ceremony in Sao Paulo, Brazil this Thursday (12th June) due to “production issues.”

J-Lo was scheduled to perform the official World Cup song ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ with Pitbull and popular Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte but has cancelled at the eleventh hour.

A simple statement from organisers, reads: "For production issues, Jennifer Lopez, one of the artists of the official song We Are One, will not be able to perform at the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony."

Pitbull and Leitte will now sing the song alone as part of a 25-minute ceremony that boasts 600 performers including musicians, gymnasts, stilt walkers, martial arts expects and many more visual treats.

The performance would have been vital exposure even for an artist of J-Lo’s stature with up to a billion people across globe estimated to be tuning in.

Pitbull said of his slot: "To be performing We Are One to the world, especially in such a beautiful country like Brazil, is going to be a lot of fun.

"But more than this, it is going to show the world that music is the universal language."

The opening ceremony precedes then opening game between hosts Brazil and Croatia. The match kicks off at 9pm BST.