As the sun set over Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, a performance that became a defining cultural moment.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, generated excitement long before kickoff. As the most-watched sporting event in the United States, the NFL’s decision to feature a primarily Spanish-speaking artist sparked national attention. The league leaned into his influence by marketing the performance with a clear message: “The world will dance.”
Puerto Rican Culture Takes Center Stage
The Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show highlighted his Puerto Rican roots with sugar cane field visuals tied to the island’s history. He performed hits like “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Voy A Llevarte Pa,” and fan favorite “Yo Perreo Sola.”
Spelman College student Cyann Leverett ’29 said the performance authentically represented her culture. “Bad Bunny’s halftime show did an excellent job of putting Puerto Rican culture on a mainstream platform. As a Puerto Rican, there were so many aspects I could relate to, and parts of my history that often go undiscussed appeared in an artistic way I couldn’t have imagined better,” Leverett said.
The performance featured moments such as a staged wedding, guest appearances by Cardi B and Pedro Pascal, and Lady Gaga performing a Hispanic-inspired version of “Die with a Smile.” The show resonated amid ongoing political and cultural debates surrounding immigration and identity. Throughout the performance, Bad Bunny emphasized inclusivity and encouraged audiences from all backgrounds to celebrate alongside him.
Morehouse College student Adrian Ramirez ’29 reflected on the performance and its cultural symbolism.
“We’re all different, but we are all American. Bad Bunny showing children sleeping on chairs during parties was one of many moments that highlighted the beauty of his culture,” Ramirez noted.
The NFL highlighting diversity in recent years
In recent years, the NFL has increasingly selected artists of color to headline the halftime show. Performers such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar have expanded the cultural and musical range of the stage.
Following the announcement, some conservative groups organized an alternative event marketed as an “All American” halftime show of their own, highlighting performers such as Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, and Lee Brice. They intended to replace Bad Bunny’s halftime show with their own to “celebrate faith, family and freedom.” (TPUSA). Although they knew the NFL halftime show would overshadow their “All American” event, with Bad Bunny far surpassing Kid Rock in Spotify listeners, organizers still wanted a place. Organizers promoted the event as a celebration of “faith, family and freedom,” emphasizing traditional American country music performances. “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath,” said Kid Rock.
Spelman College student Morgan Harvey ’29 shared her thoughts on why she believes diversity should be represented in the Super Bowl.
“Bad Bunny’s halftime show was an excellent way to showcase Puerto Rican culture. It was beautiful to see the diversity among the dancers and a reminder that you don’t have to change who you are to fit American culture. It also helped many minorities better understand Hispanic identity in America,” Harvey said.
Bad Bunny is bringing hope to society
Bad Bunny displayed “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” on the Jumbotron, echoing his Grammy speech and his past criticism of immigration enforcement policies. He emphasized “ICE OUT” in his speech, which received widespread audience support during his acceptance speech. Bad Bunny wanted to underscore that the only way we, as a society, can become whole again is to continue expressing love, not hate.
Bad Bunny continued to show hope by repeatedly displaying “We Are America” on the football he held throughout the show. He repeatedly said “God bless America,” expressing patriotism while acknowledging tensions between immigration policy and Latino culture. The performance ended with flags from North, Central, and South America, symbolizing unity and belonging across cultures.
Media coverage has long influenced public perceptions of culture and national identity. In this case, certain media outlets and commentators have questioned whether Spanish-language music fits traditional ideas of American entertainment. The performance raises a broader question for the NFL moving forward: What does an American halftime show look like now?
