Inside Bad Bunny’s Historic Super Bowl Halftime Show
Putting on the Super Bowl halftime show is a logistical challenge that grows with each passing year. Concerns range from protecting the playing field to preventing leaks of the performance details, as happened with Kendrick Lamar’s show last year. Leading up to Bad Bunny’s performance at Super Bowl LX, the focus shifted to a unique challenge: recreating the atmosphere of his Puerto Rican roots within the constraints of the venue.
A Horticultural Hurdle
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, envisioned a stage mirroring his recent residency in Puerto Rico, filled with palm trees and sugar cane evoking Vega Baja, his hometown. The production team, Tribe Inc., led by Bruce and Shelley Rodgers, has been staging the Super Bowl halftime show for nearly two decades.
Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, uses natural grass and NFL guidelines limit the number of carts allowed on the field to protect it. With only 25 carts available – needed for stages and props – bringing in enough plants proved impossible using traditional methods.
A Creative Solution
Bruce Rodgers devised an innovative solution: utilize people as the foliage. Approximately 380 performers were costumed to resemble tall stalks of grass, creating the desired environment. Stationary palm trees and poles were deployed similarly to the streetlights used in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance.
Bad Bunny, performing in an all-white outfit resembling a football jersey with “Ocasio” on the back, was able to perform amidst the set he envisioned – including a casita, vintage truck, and wedding stage – surrounded by his “living” plants. The team successfully managed to get all equipment safely on and off the field using 25 “turf tires” equipped carts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest challenge in preparing for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance?
The biggest challenge was recreating the look and feel of Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico residency, specifically the use of palm trees and sugar cane, while protecting the natural grass field at Levi’s Stadium.
How did the production team overcome the challenge of bringing plants onto the field?
The production team, Tribe Inc., solved the problem by dressing 380 people in costumes to resemble plants, effectively turning performers into the foliage.
Which teams played in the Super Bowl LX during Bad Bunny’s halftime show?
The Seattle Seahawks played against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX during Bad Bunny’s halftime performance.
As halftime shows become increasingly ambitious, what innovative solutions will future performers and production teams employ to overcome logistical hurdles and deliver unforgettable experiences?