Bad Bunny Makes Super Bowl History with Groundbreaking Spanish-Language Halftime Show
Bad Bunny promised that "the world will dance" during his monumental Apple Music halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on Sunday, and the Latin music superstar delivered on that pledge in spectacular fashion. Coming just one week after making Grammy history when his album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" became the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year, Bad Bunny continued his historic streak with a show-stopping performance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
A Historic First for Latino Representation
The electrifying performance marked not only Bad Bunny's first time headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, but also represented a significant cultural milestone as the first time a Latino and Spanish-speaking artist has led the Super Bowl halftime show as a solo act. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny sang entirely in Spanish throughout his performance, making him the first halftime show performer to do so in the event's storied history.
Star-Studded Collaborations and Cultural Celebrations
While Bad Bunny took center stage as the main attraction, he brought along some impressive company. The Puerto Rican artist surprised audiences by bringing out Lady Gaga for a Latin-inspired rendition of her collaboration with Bruno Mars, "Die With a Smile." He also welcomed Ricky Martin, the iconic Puerto Rican singer who helped spark the Latin music explosion of the 1990s, as a special guest.
The celebrity appearances didn't stop there. Throughout his performance, Bad Bunny surprised fans with multiple cameos from notable figures including:
- Karol G
- Cardi B
- Jessica Alba
- Alix Earle
- Pedro Pascal
Bad Bunny also paid homage to other influential artists, incorporating nods to songs like Daddy Yankee's classic hit "Gasolina" into his performance.
A Rich Tapestry of Puerto Rican Culture
Taking the stage dressed in all-white attire, Bad Bunny performed against a backdrop of sugar cane fields while dancers showcased their best moves to his extensive catalog of hits. The setlist included fan favorites such as:
- "Tití Me Preguntó"
- "Monaco"
- "Party"
- "Safaera"
The production featured multiple scenes celebrating Puerto Rican culture, including older men playing dominoes and others enjoying piragua, a traditional Puerto Rican shaved-ice dessert. In one particularly memorable moment, a couple actually got married on stage, standing together and holding hands before a marriage officiant. According to reports from Variety and NBC Sports' Rohan Nadkarni, the wedding was 100% genuine.
Political Statements and Cultural Pride
Bad Bunny's selection to perform at the Super Bowl, which was announced in September, generated immediate backlash from right-wing commentators who criticized his Spanish-language music and his previous condemnation of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. This controversy led the right-wing organization Turning Point USA to announce what they billed as an "All-American Halftime Show" to compete with Bad Bunny's performance, featuring Trump supporter Kid Rock as the headliner.
During his performance, Bad Bunny made several pointed statements. After saying "God Bless America," he individually shouted out every Latin American country, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Bolivia. The six-time Grammy winner then delivered a powerful message to his critics when a giant billboard behind him flashed the words: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love."
This message echoed comments Bad Bunny made earlier in the month while accepting the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." During his acceptance speech, he took direct aim at Trump and his immigration policies, stating: "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say: ICE out. We are not savage. We are not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans." He dedicated his Grammy win to "all the people that had to leave their homeland — their country — to follow their dreams."
Political Reactions and Historical Context
In characteristic fashion, former President Trump criticized Bad Bunny's performance in a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday, calling it "absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!" and claiming it "makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn't represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence."
This wasn't Bad Bunny's first appearance on the Super Bowl stage. In 2020, he joined Jennifer Lopez and Shakira as a special guest during their Emmy-winning Super Bowl halftime performance. The pre-game entertainment also featured performances by Green Day, Charlie Puth, Coco Jones, and Brandi Carlile.
Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl LX halftime show represents more than just entertainment—it stands as a cultural milestone that celebrates Latino heritage, challenges political narratives, and expands the boundaries of what mainstream American entertainment can encompass. By performing entirely in Spanish and proudly showcasing Puerto Rican culture on one of the world's biggest stages, Bad Bunny has opened doors for future generations of Latino artists while delivering an unforgettable performance that will be remembered for years to come.
