WATCH: JLo Finally Addresses Viral ‘Mi Gente Latino’ Meme
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Singer Jennifer Lopez accepts the Latin Music Favorite Artist award onstage at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/AMA2011/Getty Images for AMA)
“Mi gente latino” are the three defining words that have enshrined JLo as a meme legend. Now, the Nuyorican celebrity has addressed the comical (and relatable) slip-up in an interview with Javi Ponzo.
In an interview about her latest film, Unstoppable, journalist and cinephile, Javi Ponzo closes off the interview with a request to altogether repeat the iconic statement “Mi gente latino,” words that JLo uttered at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Before agreeing, JLo asks Ponzo, “Can you explain to me why that’s funny?” JLo breaks off into laughter as Ponzo reassures her that people don’t find it funny per se, and that instead they love her and that the statement itself was iconic. Ponzo goes on to explain that the correct phrase is “mi gente latina,” thus clearing up JLo’s confusion about the statement and the preceding memes.
The meme “mi gente latino” originated 14 years ago when JLo accepted the award for favorite Latin Artist at the 2011 American Music Awards. After receiving her award, JLo addressed her fans, saying “I don’t know what to say… mi gente latino.”
The moment quickly blew up, with memes poking fun at the linguistic mishap. Despite its age, the moment is timeless, popping up regularly throughout the years to poke fun at topics related to bilingual culture, with the most recent appearance this past weekend on X for the Emilia Perez wins at the 2025 Golden Globes.
And the meme has also general Latine culture for just commenting on anything.
“It’s such a mess” says JLo, laughing along and being a good sport about her mistake. The full interview is available on Ponzo’s YouTube channel.