World Cup opening ceremony 2014: Jennifer Lopez WILL perform
The singer has reversed her decision and will now perform in Sao Paulo
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Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Jennifer Lopez will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony, contrary to reports earlier this week that she had pulled out due to unspecified “production issues”.
The singer will take to the stage in Sao Paulo to sing the official Fifa World Cup song “We Are One (Ole Ola)” alongside Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte at the opening ceremony.
A representative for the singer told People magazine: “She will be there. Jennifer has always wanted to participate in the World Cup opening ceremonies.
“We have been trying to work out scheduling and logistics. Any statements to the contrary were premature. Jennifer would not want to disappoint her fans or fans of futbul.”
Lopez will perform the official Fifa anthem at the opening ceremony on Thursday 12 June before Brazil play Croatia in the first World Cup 2014 match.
Four years ago, Shakira performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” at the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony in South Africa, which went on to become a worldwide hit.
But the 2014 song is said to have disappointed many Brazilians, who have complained it sounds too generic for the nation's Bossa Nova-crazed audiences and that it features foreign musicians singing mostly in English and Spanish.
Leitte sings only a few seconds at the end of the song in her native Portuguese.
The World Cup opening ceremony airs at 7pm on Thursday 22 June on ITV
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