Everything to Know About Bad Bunny's Superbowl Half-Time Show

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered one of the most talked-about Super Bowl halftime performances in history during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, February 8, a celebration of Latin music and heritage that resonated worldwide and ignited cultural conversations across the U.S. and beyond.

A Cultural Fiesta Like No Other

Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) made history by performing a predominantly Spanish-language set, the first of its kind on the Super Bowl stage, highlighting reggaeton, Latin trap and rhythmic storytelling deeply rooted in Puerto Rican culture.

The show’s visuals were rich with symbolism, transforming the field into a stylised village environment complete with bustling community scenes from everyday life — cafés, grocery stands, dancers and more — paying homage to labour, heritage and shared experiences.

Bad Bunny opened with high-energy hits like Tití Me Preguntó and Yo Perreo Sola, suffusing the stadium with infectious rhythms that had the crowd dancing along. His setlist seamlessly blended party anthems with deeper material, including El Apagón, whose placement atop a mock power line subtly nodded to infrastructural and social challenges facing Puerto Rico.

Star-Studded Moments and Surprises

Boosting the show’s star power were surprise guest appearances that broadened its appeal:

• Lady Gaga delivered a soulful, Latin-flavored rendition of Die With a Smile alongside Bad Bunny, melding her vocal dynamism with rich, rhythmic percussion.
• Ricky Martin, a fellow Puerto Rican icon, joined Bad Bunny for Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii, symbolically passing a torch between generations of Latin artists.
  Fans also spotted other celebrities — including Cardi B, Pedro Pascal and Karol G — dancing and celebrating on sidelines near a set resembling Bad Bunny’s iconic “casita.”

Visually Striking Performance

Bad Bunny’s all-white ensemble, designed with personal touches like his family name “Ocasio,” underscored the show’s personal and cultural themes, while traditional Puerto Rican clothing worn by dancers highlighted Afro-Caribbean and island heritage.

As the show reached its climax, Bad Bunny and dancers marched with flags representing Spanish-speaking nations, and a massive video board declared: “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” The artist then raised a football inscribed “Together We Are America,” blending unity and inclusivity into his finale before enthusiastically spiking it.

A Message of Unity (Not Politics)

Despite the cultural pride woven throughout the performance, Bad Bunny largely steered clear of explicit political statements onstage, choosing instead to emphasize celebration, joy and togetherness. He blessed multiple nations — including the U.S., Canada, and his native Puerto Rico — and delivered a message that resonated with fans globally.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised his ability to unite through music, highlighting the performance as a memorable moment in halftime history.

Reactions: From Praise to Backlash

The show generated a wave of reactions online and in media:

• Many viewers, including NFL players and entertainment fans, praised the performance’s rhythm, production value and cultural resonance, with social media buzzing about its vibe and inclusivity.
• Others — including former U.S. President Donald Trump and some conservative voices — critiqued the choice of language and style, calling the performance “absolutely terrible” or questioning its representation of “American values.”
  The controversy also sparked broader debates about national identity, language and cultural representation in mainstream entertainment — discussions that continued far beyond the final whistle.