In September 2025, the NFL announced that Bad Bunny would be performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, and the backlash came immediately. Some fans were ecstatic to see this representation at such an event, but others questioned if a Spanish-speaking artist belonged on America’s biggest stage. With all the criticism people could agree on one thing: Bad Bunny was going to make a statement. After watching, I felt like his performance wasn’t just historic, it was beyond necessary.
One example of the criticism, according to The Ringer, is, “In January, the president told the New York Post that he’d be skipping the NFL’s signature event, saying of Bad Bunny’s halftime selection, ‘It’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred.’”
But, if the Super Bowl represents America, what hatred is being used if millions of Americans speak Spanish as well?
Those who complained miss the point entirely: all artists deserve their credit. Just a week before he took the stage at the Super Bowl, history was made, as Bad Bunny’s album, “Debí Tirar Mas Fotos,” became the first ever Spanish-speaking album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys. He is also now the first ever male Latino to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
The show itself opened as we watched Bad Bunny emerge from what was meant to represent the sugar cane fields in Puerto Rico, carrying a football. The setting is a powerful and sentimental tribute to his home. As he continued walking, the audience was met with symbols representing his home country and roots, making it impossible to ignore the cultural statement woven into his performance.
He officially began his performance with some of his hit songs, “Tití Me Preguntó,” then transitioning into “Yo Perreo Sola.” As these songs were sung, the singer emerged from a casita, another massive representation from Puerto Rico and a main backdrop for his most recent tour: No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí. When the door was opened from the little house, we were met with many familiar faces, such as social media influencer Alix Earle, singer Cardi B, actor Pedro Pascal and more.
Not only were there many celebrities, but the set was full of dancers who performed a synchronized routine outside of the house as well.
With the representation of many different people from many different places, Bad Bunny emphasized the overall message of unity which showed his fans that differences only make us stronger.
This celebration on the stage continued as Bad Bunny appeared on the roof of the casita where he crashed through the ceiling as Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” played in the background. This song didn’t stream for long, but gave credit to the artist who made Bad Bunny and his music mainstream.
I feel like one of the most important parts of the performance was when Bad Bunny started speaking instead of singing in Spanish, introducing himself with his full name (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) to the audience and viewers. “Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas.” In this message, Bad Bunny talked directly to viewers, explaining that he is where he is because he continues to believe in himself, and we, the viewers, should do the same.
In a country where being bilingual is often politicalized, speaking entirely in Spanish was a bold and needed choice to show diversity.
As the performance continued, Bad Bunny featured surprise performers Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, continuing to put the spotlight on his history and heritage through the performance choices, like a wedding celebration.
At the end of the show, Bad Bunny strutted down the field, followed by his dancers performing behind him. Bad Bunny then revealed the words “Together, We Are America” written across the front while he named all of the North American countries.
To me, this part of the performance solidified the message that America should be united, and not just the United States, but all of the Americas.
With all the controversy he faced, Bad Bunny didn’t just perform at the halftime show, he defined it. I admire that he continued to stay true to himself and remind the viewers we are all stronger together, regardless of our differences. Bad Bunny ended his performance by exiting the field while flags of all kinds wave behind him and the jumbotron projected the message, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
The message he made was clear to me: America is meant for unity, not division.
