An Electrifying Night: Jennifer Lopez Shines with Dual Performances at Global Citizen’s ‘VAX Live’ Event

Jennifer Lopez had a special moment on stage when she sang a rendition of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” alongside her mom.

Jennifer Lopez stole the show at Global Citizen’s VAX Live: The Concert to Unite the World. The 51-year-old singer graced the stage twice at this charitable event, kicking off the concert with a special rendition of Neil Diamond’s timeless hit, “Sweet Caroline.” The concert took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with Lopez dazzling the crowd in a sparkly silver outfit.

During her performance, Lopez spoke about missing her mother during the pandemic and how it inspired her song choice. She reminisced about her mom singing the ’70s classic to her as a baby, prompting her to share the sentimental moment with the audience. With a heartfelt plea, Lopez invited the crowd to join her in singing along to the beloved tune.

Halfway through the performance, Lopez surprised everyone by bringing her mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez, on stage to conclude the song, with modified lyrics making it “Sweet Jennifer.” The touching moment added a personal touch to the concert, making it a memorable experience for all in attendance.

According to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, the touching moment between Lopez and her mother was Jennifer’s own idea, showcasing her precise creative vision. Evans expressed how moved he was when Lopez brought her mom on stage, feeling goosebumps at the powerful connection they shared after a challenging year for the world.

Later on during the show, Lopez returned to the stage and impressed the audience with another captivating performance of her hit single from 2016, “Ain’t Your Mama.” Rocking a stylish outfit complemented by chic black boots, the talented mother of two was joined by a group of backup dancers dressed in vibrant and colorful outfits.

In an earlier part of her performance, Lopez expressed her joy at being able to be in the same room as all the “beautiful” people in attendance. She acknowledged the hardships of being away from loved ones for so long but emphasized the importance of continuing to support those in need, particularly in regions like Africa, India, and Latin America, to ensure everyone has access to vaccines.

Global Citizen shared that when they approached Lopez to headline the event, she was immediately enthusiastic and generous in her response, kicking off the momentum for the event. VAX Live, hosted by Selena Gomez, featured appearances from notable figures like President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, among others.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle served as campaign chairs for the concert, which aimed to promote vaccine confidence globally and ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all. As the situation with the pandemic continues to evolve, PEOPLE remains dedicated to providing up-to-date information. For the latest updates on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to refer to resources such as the CDC, WHO, and local health departments. Additionally, PEOPLE has teamed up with GoFundMe to support the COVID-19 Relief Fund, helping frontline responders, families in need, and community organizations. To learn more or donate, click here.