Jennifer Lopez had a stunning performance during her 60th anniversary homage to Motown at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, leaping onto the piano and somersaulting across the stage.

However, the 49-year-old’s performance drew internet criticism before it took place, owing to the fact that she is not black and was never signed with Motown.

J-Lo has now defended herself, saying: “The thing about music is that it inspires everyone.” Any form of music can influence any artist.

She told Entertainment Tonight, ‘You can’t tell people what to love. You cannot tell people what they can and cannot do, or what songs they should or should not sing. You must do what is in your heart.

Lopez dedicated her performance to her mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez, who played Motown hits in their Bronx childhood home.

‘It was for my mother. I could cry. “It’s such a great moment,” she said of the show. ‘It’s simply a dream come true.’

She was supported by Motown legend Smokey Robinson, who dressed in a flashy scarlet and black suit and joined her onstage for the homage.

Prior to the performance, Smokey told Variety, ‘I don’t think anyone who is clever is offended. I believe everybody who is upset is foolish.

Motown was music for everyone. “Everybody,” stated the songwriter for Since I Lost My Baby and The Way You Do The Things You Do.

‘Who’s stupid enough to resist Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?’ remarked the record label’s former vice president, citing her background ‘in her Hispanic neighborhood’ as a point of authenticity.

Despite the criticism, Lopez gave it her all on Sunday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.