Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show was nothing short of a dazzling spectacle that captured the essence of unity and celebration. He boldly declared that "the world will dance" in his pre-show advertisement for Apple Music, and he truly lived up to that promise during his performance. Joined by the iconic Lady Gaga, alongside stars like Ricky Martin, the energy was palpable as they performed a lively medley showcasing Bad Bunny's rich musical journey. This was not just a concert; it was an introduction to his artistry for over 100 million viewers around the globe.
The stage design mirrored the vibrant spirit of his "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" residency in Puerto Rico, which was highlighted in Variety's cover story last June. The setup transformed the arena into a lively Puerto Rican neighborhood, complete with familiar sights like a barber shop, a liquor store, and the beloved "casita," the charming little house where he would host celebrity guests during his concerts. Sunday night was filled with notable appearances, including Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, and Pedro Pascal, all dancing joyfully across the expansive dancefloor, which also featured an actual wedding ceremony — a detail that his representative confirmed. Fans will be buzzing with excitement as they dissect the numerous hidden references embedded in the performance.
A significant theme of the show was unity. Towards the conclusion of his set, Bad Bunny passionately proclaimed "God Bless America" before naming every nation in North, South, and Latin America, including the United States and Canada. This moment resonated deeply, especially when a massive billboard flashed the message: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," directly addressing critics who had expressed their disapproval of his participation even before the event began.
Lady Gaga, making her mark on this historic occasion, performed a salsa-inspired rendition of her 2024 collaboration with Bruno Mars, "Die With a Smile," while a wedding was happening right before the audience's eyes.
In another heartfelt nod to his roots, Bad Bunny invited fellow Puerto Rican star Ricky Martin to join him on stage for a special performance of "lo que le pasó a Hawái" from his Grammy-winning album, "Debí tirar más fotos." Just days prior, Martin had penned an open letter in the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día, commending Bad Bunny for representing Puerto Rico on global stages, celebrating his authenticity. He wrote, "You won without changing the color of your voice. You won without erasing your roots. You won by staying true to Puerto Rico."
Ricky Martin’s presence at the halftime show was particularly poignant, as he has long been a symbol of Latin music’s crossover success in the U.S., especially with his hit "Living La Vida Loca" in the late 1990s. Though they didn’t perform that particular song, their earlier collaboration on "Cántalo" from Martin’s "Pausa" EP added to the night's rich tapestry.
Leading up to the performance, speculation swirled about whether Bad Bunny would use his platform for political commentary. Last year, he made headlines by announcing he would refrain from touring in the U.S. to protect fans from potential ICE raids. He reinforced this stance during the Grammy Awards, stating emphatically, "Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out," and emphasized the humanity and dignity of those affected by such policies. His message was clear: love must triumph over hate.
Before the game commenced, a group of protesters gathered near the stadium entrance, brandishing towels and posters calling for the abolition of ICE, a testament to the ongoing conversation surrounding immigration issues.
In a press conference held ahead of the show, Bad Bunny expressed his desire for the halftime performance to be a joyous celebration for all. He emphasized, "They don’t even have to learn Spanish. It’s better if they learn to dance. There’s no better dance than the one that comes from the heart."
Remarkably, this halftime show marked a historic milestone as the first predominantly Spanish-language performance at the Super Bowl. Previously, Bad Bunny had made a cameo appearance in 2020 alongside J Balvin during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez's headlining act. Other than Gloria Estefan, who performed at the halftime show in 1992, Bad Bunny stands out as a groundbreaking figure in this space.
Gaga, who had previously delivered an unforgettable Super Bowl halftime performance in 2017, shared her admiration for Bad Bunny ahead of the event. She noted, "Honestly, I don’t think he needs any advice from me… He knows who he is, and that’s the only thing that matters when you step onto that stage. All he has to do is be the beautiful person he already is, and the world will feel his heart." Just last year, she surprised him by introducing his performance on "Saturday Night Live," showcasing the mutual respect and camaraderie between these two talented artists.
