Pitbull has revealed that Jennifer Lopez surprised him with an unexpected dance move during their 2011 American Music Awards performance of 'On the Floor', prompting the rapper to joke that he 'got excited' on stage.
The rapper, whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez, recalled the moment during a question-and-answer session at Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami on Wednesday, 21 October. He explained that Lopez performed a move during the live show that they had not rehearsed beforehand.
The revelation revisits a moment from the pair's performance that drew attention after Lopez danced closely with Pitbull during their hit collaboration. According to reports, Pitbull addressed the performance photo that circulated online, saying Lopez's unexpected move caught him off guard.
Pitbull Recalls Lopez's Unexpected Move
During the discussion, Pitbull first praised Lopez for her career and the opportunity to work with her before sharing the story behind the widely discussed photograph. 'What an absolute blessing and honour to be able to work with Jennifer Lopez,' he said.
He also praised the singer's professional journey, noting how she built her career from the ground up and kept achieving success. Pitbull then explained that the dance move wasn't part of their rehearsal.
'Jennifer, during rehearsal, didn't do a certain move that she did when the show went on,' he said.
He continued: 'And when she did that move, I got excited. So that makes sense to that picture if you know what I'm talking about.'
His remarks referred to a photograph from the performance showing Lopez grinding against him during the routine. Pitbull explained that her unexpected move caught him off guard, prompting his reaction captured in the image.
Their 2011 AMAs Performance
Lopez and Pitbull performed 'On the Floor' at the 2011 American Music Awards (AMAs) in Los Angeles in November. The performance featured the singer's energetic choreography and a surprise appearance by Pitbull, who joined her on stage as the song progressed. Their routine included a moment when Lopez danced close to the rapper.
The song was released in February 2011 as the lead single from Lopez's seventh studio album, 'Love?'. Featuring Pitbull, the track combined dance-pop and Latin influences and became one of the singer's best-known hits.
The collaboration also helped establish a successful musical partnership between the two artists, who later worked together on other songs, including 'Dance Again' and 'Live It Up'. Their performances frequently incorporated dance routines and energetic stage production, making their collaborations a regular feature of their respective live repertoires. The 2011 awards-show performance has remained a point of interest for fans, with Pitbull's recent recollection bringing renewed attention to the moment.
Pitbull Praises Jennifer Lopez's Career
Alongside his anecdote about the performance, Pitbull expressed admiration for Lopez's achievements in music and entertainment. He described working with her as an honour and highlighted her determination throughout her career.
Lopez has established herself as a singer, actress and entertainer, with a career spanning music, film and live performances. Her music catalogue includes hits such as 'If You Had My Love', 'Jenny from the Block' and 'On the Floor'.
Pitbull, meanwhile, rose to international prominence through dance and hip-hop hits including 'Give Me Everything', 'Timber' and 'I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)'. His collaborations with Lopez have remained among the recognisable highlights of his career, with 'On the Floor' continuing to connect the two performers more than a decade after its release.
