Bad Bunny Makes History with First Spanish-Language Super Bowl Halftime Show
In a groundbreaking moment for Latin music and culture, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered a historic performance at Super Bowl LX, becoming the first artist to headline the coveted halftime show primarily in Spanish. The 31-year-old reggaeton icon, fresh off his Album of the Year victory at the 2026 Grammy Awards for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," transformed Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, into a vibrant celebration of his island heritage.
The performance, which took place during the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, marked a watershed moment for representation at America's most-watched sporting event. Dressed in an all-white ensemble featuring a custom jersey emblazoned with his surname "Ocasio" and the number 64, Bad Bunny immediately established the tone for an evening that would prioritize authenticity over assimilation.
A Cultural Journey Through Puerto Rico
From the moment he stepped onto the stage, the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio crafted an immersive experience that transported millions of viewers to Puerto Rico. The stadium floor underwent a dramatic transformation, blooming with palm trees, sugar cane fields, and other native vegetation that created a lush tropical landscape. This wasn't merely decorative; it was a deliberate act of cultural storytelling.
As he launched into his 2022 hit "Tití Me Preguntó," Bad Bunny navigated through this carefully constructed world, encountering sugar cane farmers wearing the traditional pava straw hats that have symbolized Puerto Rican rural life for generations. The scene continued to unfold with a coconut vendor tending to his wares, a piragua cart offering the beloved shaved ice treats, and even a pair of boxers training in the background—each element a nod to the multifaceted nature of Puerto Rican identity.
The visual narrative continued with "Yo Perreo Sola," a feminist anthem that has become one of his signature tracks. The performance seamlessly blended his older hits with material from his Grammy-winning album, including "EoO," "NUEVAYoL," and the title track "DTMF." The song "NUEVAYoL" held particular significance, paying homage to the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York City and the complex relationship between island and mainland identities.
Star-Studded Collaborations
The halftime show's guest list proved as diverse and dynamic as the performance itself. Lady Gaga, no stranger to Super Bowl spectacle after her own 2017 headlining appearance, joined Bad Bunny for a bilingual rendition of their duet "Die With a Smile." The pop icon adapted her vocals to incorporate Latin rhythms, demonstrating the fluid exchange between musical cultures. She remained on stage for "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," creating a cross-generational moment that bridged different pop universes.
In a surprise that delighted longtime fans of Latin music, Ricky Martin emerged to perform "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii." The song's lyrics critique the gentrification devastating Puerto Rico—an issue exacerbated by tax incentives that have encouraged wealthy mainland Americans to purchase property on the island, displacing local residents. Martin's presence added gravitas to this political undertone, as he's been a vocal advocate for Puerto Rican rights throughout his decades-long career.
The cameo parade continued with Hollywood A-listers Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba, alongside reggaeton royalty Cardi B and Karol G. Each appearance felt purposeful rather than gratuitous, reinforcing the show's central theme of Latin excellence and unity.
Unexpected Moments and Social Commentary
Perhaps the most talked-about segment involved a young boy watching the Grammys on television with his parents. When Bad Bunny appeared on screen, he reached through the television to hand the child a Grammy statuette. While seemingly whimsical, the moment resonated deeply with many viewers who saw parallels to Liam Conejo Ramos, the five-year-old Minneapolis boy who was recently detained by ICE along with his father.
Alana Casanova-Burgess, host of the "La Brega" podcast, told CBS News, "I think a lot of people, myself included, saw parallels between that little boy and Liam Conejo Ramos. We know that that little boy wasn't Liam Conejo Ramos, but whether it was [representing] a younger Bad Bunny or any other Latino kid, I think the parallels were pretty clear." This subtle yet powerful statement transformed what could have been a simple nostalgic interlude into a commentary on immigration, family separation, and the dreams of Latino children in America.
A Real Wedding Ceremony
In an unprecedented move for a Super Bowl halftime show, the production incorporated an actual wedding ceremony. A local pastor from Sacramento officiated the nuptials while Bad Bunny served as a witness, even signing the couple's marriage certificate. This authentic moment of human connection grounded the spectacle in reality, reminding viewers that behind the pyrotechnics and choreography lie real stories and real people. The Associated Press confirmed through a representative for the artist that the wedding was legitimate, not staged for entertainment purposes.
The Significance of Spanish-Language Primacy
What set this performance apart from previous Latin-influenced halftime shows was the unapologetic use of Spanish as the primary language. While artists like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez have incorporated Spanish into their performances, Bad Bunny's show was fundamentally built around it. This represented a shift in how mainstream American culture consumes Latin music—no longer as an exotic flavor to be sampled, but as a complete artistic statement deserving of center stage.
The decision to perform primarily in Spanish at an event that draws over 100 million American viewers signals a changing demographic and cultural landscape. It acknowledges the 62 million Latinos in the United States who represent nearly 19% of the population, many of whom grew up bilingual or Spanish-dominant. For these viewers, hearing their language celebrated on such a massive platform was a validation of their identity and place in American society.
Commercial and Critical Impact
The performance immediately generated massive social media engagement, with #BadBunnySuperBowl trending worldwide within minutes. Streaming numbers for his catalog spiked across all platforms, with "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" seeing a 400% increase in plays. The album, which had already won the industry's highest honor, found new audiences among viewers who may have been unfamiliar with his work beyond the occasional crossover hit.
Critics praised the production's ambition and cultural specificity. The New York Times called it "a masterclass in using mass media to celebrate rather than dilute cultural identity," while Rolling Stone noted that "Bad Bunny didn't just perform at the Super Bowl; he redefined what a Super Bowl performance could be."
Legacy and Future Implications
As one of the most-streamed artists globally, Bad Bunny's decision to maintain his artistic integrity on such a mainstream stage sends a powerful message to younger Latin artists. It demonstrates that commercial success doesn't require cultural compromise—that authenticity can be not just profitable, but revolutionary.
The show's emphasis on Puerto Rican culture, from its vegetation to its social issues, also highlighted the island's ongoing struggles in a way that mainstream American media rarely does. By weaving gentrification critiques into a halftime show, Bad Bunny used his platform to educate as well as entertain.
For the NFL, which has faced criticism for its handling of social justice issues, the performance represented a step toward genuine cultural engagement. The league's willingness to cede creative control to an artist who prioritized Spanish-language content and political messaging suggests an evolving understanding of its audience.
Conclusion
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show will be remembered not just for its musical excellence, but for its cultural courage. In choosing to center his Puerto Rican identity, language, and concerns on America's biggest stage, he created a moment that resonated far beyond the football field. The performance challenged assumptions about assimilation, celebrated the richness of Latin culture, and proved that the most powerful artistic statements are those that remain true to their roots.
As the final notes echoed through Levi's Stadium, viewers were left with more than just memories of a spectacular show—they carried a renewed appreciation for the diversity that defines modern America. For the millions of Latino children who saw themselves reflected in that performance, it was a reminder that their stories, their language, and their culture belong everywhere—even at the Super Bowl.