The husband-and-wife pair, both touring to support new albums, each delivered flawless performances for the first of two sold-out shows in the arena Friday night. The Atlantic City show marked the start of Lopez and Anthony's nationwide tour. A second show takes place here tonight.
But if fan appreciation is any indication, then it is clear that Friday was Anthony's night.
Sorry, J.Lo - you did well, but your hubby outshines you in this arena.
In fact, from the moment Anthony's 15-piece brass band played those first, driving beats of his hit Spanish song "Aguanile" - and Anthony twisted his hips - the mood was clear.
He was throwing a non-stop salsa fest. And it was absolutely irresistible.
"It's OK to dance a little, you know?" Anthony said to screaming fans. "It's OK to get up, move a little, express yourselves, OK? Shake it out!"
Fans obliged. They took to the aisles. They happily salsa danced as Anthony's hit "Ahora Quien" played and bright pink-and-red lights shined on the stage.
Wearing a military-style jacket, white shirt, black pants and black rosary beads around his neck, Anthony appeared poised and comfortable in his own skin. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself onstage - and that carried over into the crowd.
"I missed you guys," Anthony said. "It's OK to get up and dance and have a good time."
And they did.
Lopez, for her part, looked equally comfortable considering she was headlining her first concert tour and, as expected with someone like Lopez, she was on top of her game. Her routines looked flawless. She could have gone the Latin route and sang only Spanish-language songs from her new album "Como Ama una Mujer."
But she didn't. She was the kind of star fans like to see - one who delivers on all the radio hits that make her famous.
She opened her part of the show with her new single "Do It Well," which is on her upcoming album "Brave" due in stores Oct. 9.
While never known for having a powerhouse voice, Lopez sounded good. But she lacks the ability to create the mood her husband does so naturally.
It was evident she had a backing track helping her out, while Anthony's voice projected through the arena.
J.Lo's costumes did little, if anything, to quell the growing rumors that she is expecting (the couple have so far denied that Lopez is pregnant). Lopez opened her set wearing a pair of flowy, blue bell-bottoms and a matching baby-doll top with, um, plenty of room to "grow."
As for her moves? The former "fly girl" did dance - and threw in some wicked salsa moves for Anthony fans - but she appeared to keep her moves toned down. Bun in the oven, perhaps? You decide.
If one theme seemed to carry across through the entire show, it was this - the couple was having a great time onstage. Closing the concert with their well-known duet, the Spanish language "No me Ames," they certainly appeared to be a happy couple. That makes for a better show.
"This night is so special on so many levels," Anthony said. "You guys are the first to witness this moment."
The concert, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., was a little behind schedule getting started. Opening comedian Joe Vega, who did not take the stage until 8:45, lightened the mood for the crowd - and put the delay in perspective.
"If you notice, all the Latinos are walking in right now," said Vega, who has appeared on "The Sopranos" and "Latin Legends of Comedy." "And they'll be about 6,000 more walking in at 9:30. The white people got here at 7:30."
