124.9 million viewers tuned in on Sunday night to watch Bad Bunny, also known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, to make 2026 the second most-watched halftime show in history, falling just short of Kendrick Lamar’s record 127.7 million viewers last year. Bad Bunny, recent Grammy winner of Album of the Year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” is the first Latinx and Spanish-speaking artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show solo.
Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime performer was controversial among conservative viewers for his non-English music and open opposition to President Donald Trump and recent aggressive immigration operations. Trump went to Truth Social after the performance, calling it a “‘slap in the face’ to our Country.”
In a time of uncertainty and heightened fear for Latinx communities, Bad Bunny’s outspoken support on a stage with millions of viewers strongly resonated with Latinx viewers.
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” read the billboard that overlooked Levi’s Stadium. Immediately drawing the audience in by opening with one of his most famous songs, “Tití Me Preguntó,” Bad Bunny used strong imagery and symbolism to send his audience, both in and outside of the stadium, a message about cultural pride.
The show opened with a striking visual scene of people working in sugarcane fields, a nod to Puerto Rico’s rich agricultural history, before the camera revealed Bad Bunny himself. He continued to move through his set, gradually revealing elements of Puerto Rican life and daily culture, such as a coco frio stand and elderly men playing dominoes. On top of that, there was a traditional piragua stand, a quintessential Puerto Rican shaved-ice dessert, where bottles of flavoring featured the flags of various Spanish-speaking countries.
As the performance transitioned into his second song, the cameras panned to a traditional Puerto Rican casita with Latinx icons like Cardi B, Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba standing on the porch. He brought out celebrity guest Lady Gaga to perform a salsa-inspired version of her song “Die with a Smile” to celebrate the newlyweds. And yes, the wedding was real.
One of the most touching moments of the halftime performance was when Bad Bunny handed his Grammy Award to a young Latino boy and said, “Cree siempre en tú,” which translates to “always believe in yourself.” It was a message of hope, an especially powerful message for younger Latinx generations in today’s political climate.
Bad Bunny concluded his performance by reemphasizing the message of unity. Rather than ending with a solo moment in the spotlight, Bad Bunny was surrounded by a large ensemble of dancers and performers. As Bad Bunny said, “God bless America,” dancers carrying flags trailed him as he proudly listed countries from North and South America.
In the final seconds of his performance, Bad Bunny held a football toward the camera, with the words “Together we are America” written on it. Before playfully throwing the football down, Bad Bunny ended with the words, “Seguimos aquí” — “we are still here.” Together, these final words reframed “America” as a term not exclusive to the United States, but rather one that also includes proud Spanish-speaking nations and different cultures in South America.
Throughout his 13-minute performance, Bad Bunny had the whole stadium dancing. His performance was entertaining, but, more importantly, powerful as he wove together Puerto Rican and broader Latin American culture. Despite his references to painful moments in Puerto Rican history, the performance was one filled with joy and celebration.