Jennifer Lopez Revisits the 'Mi Gente Latino' Meme in Viral Interview
Argentine journalist Javi Ponzo explained the meme to J-Lo herself.
Jennifer Lopez has done it all: music, movies, fashion, and even memes. One of her most iconic ones was born at the 2011 American Music Awards. JLo, while accepting an award, thanked "mi gente Latino."
Though her words were heartfelt, a minor grammatical slip turned the phrase into a viral sensation that has stood the test of time. Over a decade later, Jennifer revisited the meme during an interview with Argentine journalist Javi Ponzo, and the internet couldn't get enough of it.
The origin of the meme and why it won't die
Jennifer won the 'Favorite Latin Music Artist' award at the AMAs. With her trademark energy and charisma, she took the mic and shouted, "¡Mi gente Latino!"
The catch? The correct Spanish phrase is "mi gente Latina." While it was a small mistake, social media didn't let it slide. Over time, the phrase evolved into a beloved meme used in jokes, celebrations, and countless references to Latino culture.
The viral interview that brought it back
During an interview with Javi Ponzo—known for his laid-back style and pop culture insights—he couldn't resist bringing up the meme.
With humor and charm, Javi asked Jennifer if she could repeat the iconic phrase. Initially, JLo didn't understand why it had become so memorable. Javi explained how her AMAs shoutout had transformed into a fun and cherished internet expression.
Always quick to embrace humor, Jennifer laughed and said, "I thought they were making fun of me!" Once she realized the affection behind the meme, she happily repeated it for the camera—this time, fully aware of its comedic value.
The lighthearted moment, full of authenticity and laughter, quickly went viral, with fans sharing clips of her reaction across social media.
Social media explodes
The hilarious exchange spread like wildfire on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Fans applauded Javi for bringing up the topic and praised Jennifer for her down-to-earth and approachable attitude.
Comments poured in, with reactions like, "JLo is a queen for laughing it off!" and "Thank you, Javi, for this iconic moment!" Even those unfamiliar with the meme joined the fun, sharing snippets of the interview and reliving the unforgettable 2011 moment.
Thanks to JLo and Javi, the "Mi Gente Latino" meme has been given new life—proving once again that the internet never forgets. You can watch the full interview here!
Originally published in The Latin Times
