Bad Bunny Halftime Show: Puerto Rico & Message of Unity

The Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2026, featured a performance by Puerto Rican artist Benito Antonio Martínez, known as Bad Bunny. This marked a significant moment as he was the first performer to deliver a largely Spanish-language show during the event, a decision that sparked considerable discussion in the United States.

A Show Focused on Identity and Connection

Bad Bunny’s performance centered on themes of diversity and connection. He incorporated references to his heritage, appearing amidst a backdrop of sugar cane fields and climbing an electricity pole – a visual nod to the frequent power outages experienced in Puerto Rico. He was joined by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, with Lady Gaga being the only performer to sing in English. The show also included a medley featuring Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee.

Did You Know? Bad Bunny won a Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year the week before his Super Bowl performance.

Political Undertones and Symbolic Gestures

Bad Bunny used his platform to express political views. Having previously criticized the Trump administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in his Grammy acceptance speech, he subtly referenced these sentiments during the Super Bowl. He displayed a brief clip of his speech on a television prop and presented a Grammy award to a young boy.

Reports circulated that the boy may have been five-year-old Liam Ramos, who was detained with his father in Minneapolis but later released by a judge. The U.S. Government still intends to deport Ramos and his father, despite their legal residency and pending asylum claim. Alternatively, some believe the boy represented a younger version of the artist himself.

Expert Insight: Bad Bunny’s choice to feature potentially sensitive political imagery during a widely-watched event like the Super Bowl highlights the increasing willingness of artists to use their platforms to advocate for social and political causes, even amidst potential controversy.

Mixed Reactions and Alternative Viewpoints

The performance drew varied reactions. The conservative organization Turning Point USA hosted an “All-American Halftime Show” as an alternative, attracting over five million viewers on YouTube. Following the performance, former U.S. President Trump described the show as “absolutely horrible” and “one of the worst” he had ever seen.

Bad Bunny concluded his performance by saying “God bless America” and then listing the names of several South American countries, stating, “Together we are America,” while dancers carried flags representing Canada and Central American nations. A message reading “The only thing stronger than hate is love” was displayed on a banner above the stadium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What language was Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance primarily in?

Bad Bunny’s performance was primarily in Spanish, making him the first artist to perform largely in Spanish during a Super Bowl halftime show.

Who joined Bad Bunny on stage during his performance?

Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joined Bad Bunny on stage during his Super Bowl halftime show.

What was the significance of the young boy Bad Bunny gave a Grammy to?

The young boy may have been Liam Ramos, who is facing potential deportation with his father, or he may have been a symbolic representation of Bad Bunny’s younger self.

How do you think artists balancing entertainment with social or political messaging will shape future large-scale events like the Super Bowl?