The Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny was a vibrant tribute to his beloved Puerto Rico.
In a captivating 14-minute performance, he brought together special guests like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, alongside appearances from notable figures such as Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba, all seen joyfully dancing on the porch of a charming set that resembled a traditional Puerto Rican home.
While many anticipated that Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, might seize this opportunity to deliver a political critique of the current U.S. administration, he surprised viewers by focusing instead on a message of unity among Americans.
Transporting audiences through a dynamic Latin-inspired landscape that featured iconic settings including a nail salon and a lively bar, the Grammy-winning artist showcased an energetic medley of his most popular tracks including "Tití Me Preguntó," "MONACO," and "BAILE INoLVIDABLE."
At just 31 years old, Bad Bunny made history as the first artist to perform a Super Bowl halftime show entirely in Spanish, marking a significant cultural moment. However, he did sprinkle in two poignant messages in English: one displayed on a billboard stating "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," and another on a football he held, proclaiming "Together, We Are America."
His performance took place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where he hadn't performed in the U.S. since the release of his Grammy-award-winning album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" (I Should Have Taken More Photos). Throughout the show, the essence of Puerto Rico was front and center; from his dramatic entry emerging from a sugarcane field to a stage designed to evoke the sights and sounds of his homeland.
Family connections were also a recurring theme. The performance featured a young couple getting married amid a sea of Latino dancers, culminating in a touching moment where Bad Bunny presented his Grammy award to a small child while a television played his 2026 acceptance speech in the background.
He symbolically climbed an electricity pylon during his performance, representing the damaged infrastructure in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in 2017. This act seemed to honor those who lost their lives during the storm. Additionally, his outfit—featuring a beige sweater emblazoned with the number 64—served as a subtle nod to criticisms aimed at President Trump's administration for its inadequate response to the hurricane's aftermath compared to federal aid offered for other disasters on the mainland.
Interestingly, while direct criticisms of President Trump were noticeably absent, some viewers may have found this unexpected, especially given his outspoken remarks during the previous week's Grammy Awards, where he addressed issues surrounding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the protests ignited by their controversial actions.
During his Grammy acceptance speech for the best música urbana album, Bad Bunny urged, "ICE out," emphasizing the need for love over hate, stating, "The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing more powerful than hate is love, so, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love," describing the situation as "an affront to the Greatness of America."
Elements of Bad Bunny's tour, which has already reached Central and South America and is set to continue to Australia, Japan, and Europe, were woven throughout his Super Bowl performance. This included his recognizable casita, which has captured attention on social media for its celebrity guests.
Despite facing some initial sound issues, Bad Bunny confidently delivered strong vocal performances of hits from his recent album, with songs like "EoO" and "DtMF" standing out as highlights.
This was not Bad Bunny's first appearance on the Super Bowl stage; he had previously joined Shakira in a performance back in 2020. This time, however, he embraced the spotlight as the main attraction, exuding confidence as he moved energetically across the stage while delivering powerful vocals.
Lady Gaga made a special appearance, offering a salsa-infused version of her collaboration with Bruno Mars, "Die With A Smile," while fellow Puerto Rican star Ricky Martin performed "Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii," a song that cautions against the erasure of Puerto Rican culture.
As Bad Bunny concluded his electrifying performance, he shouted "God Bless America" in Spanish, calling out several North and South American nations as dancers waved flags in the background. This moment emphasized his complex relationship with the U.S., as he has chosen not to bring his world tour to the country, although he has performed in Puerto Rico.
Having been in the music scene since 2013, Bad Bunny explained in a 2025 interview that there were "many reasons" for not performing in the U.S. this time around, asserting that none stemmed from feelings of hate.
Ultimately, Sunday’s performance celebrated the richness of Latin culture, showcasing it on one of the biggest platforms in the sporting world.
