The first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is over, but the buzz around the performance that J Balvin delivered on Sunday, April 14, 2024 is still going strong and not only because the Colombian reggaetón superstar had an out-of-this-world theme going on. He also surprised fans with a guest appearance by Will Smith.
More from MamásLatinas: Latino celebrities who have been brave enough to talk about their mental health
Yeah, I’m pretty sure no one saw that coming. Both J Balvin and Will Smith have been on a kind of hiatus since 2022—although, for different reasons. Now, everyone of course expected J Balvin to put on a great performance complete with a unifying theme and all, but seeing Will come out dressed as his character from Men in Black to perform the movie’s theme song was completely unexpected. Here’s how it all went down.
There was an alien invasion theme going on.
J Balvin’s theatrical performance started with a 1950s-style pseudo news clip about an alien invasion. Then J Balvin—the invading alien—was revealed rising on a platform from under the stage. He was clad in a kind subtle space suit made up of a black leather jacket with alien-esque patches on it and black jeans.
Above him floated a silver avocado-shaped UFO.
Tell me that doesn’t look like an inflatable avocado floaty with a hole where the avocado pit should be and I’ll tell you need glasses because that is all I can see. That’s a silver avocado as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, I digress…
The show included costume changes and so much more.
Balvin went from black clothing to shimmering and glittering 'fits later in the show. He also performed alongside Jowell & Randy and De La Ghetto, much to the crowd’s delight.
Shocker: Will Smith showed up out of the blue.
What in the what? Out of nowhere Will Smith shows up as Agent J from Men in Black and starts rapping the theme song. The crowd goes wild because WTF?! Will Smith making an appearance at Coachella with J Balvin when Will Smith has been laying low for quite some time now is very, very unexpected.
It was a short guest appearance, but people loved it.
Was Jada there?
You betcha! She was grooving along to the performance in the artist pit. Jada Pinkett Smith revealed in her memoir Worthy that she and Will had been separated since 2016. Last we heard, they're working on their marriage. Regardless, they are still family and show up for each other as family.
The whole Smith family was at the festival.
Will and Jada’s son, Jaden Smith, was spotted hanging out with buddy Justin Bieber. Of course, fools had a lot to say when they saw video footage of Jaden playfully grinding up against Justin because heaven forbid two men touch each other.
Willow Smith, Will and Jada’s daughter, performed at the festival. She debuted a duet single with Jon Batiste. Of course, Willow had the proud support of her father, mother, and brother as she performed.
As to why J Balvin took a hiatus of sorts.
As I mentioned, both J Balvin and Will Smith took some time away from the public eye. For J Balvin, who has been candid about his mental health issues, the break was about taking care of himself and his mental wellness.
focusing on himself
"Just like focusing on myself and my family. And just to recharge," he told ET about his break from both social media and his professional life. "Like really recharging my energy and being more stronger than ever, which is not an easy task."
And Will has been laying low ever since slapping Chris Rock.
After the 2022 Oscars where Will took home the statue for best actor, but not before slapping Chris Rock, Will has been laying low. Hopefully, like J Balvin, has also used the time to recharge and take care of his mental health.
