Bad Bunny, the NFL’s decision of a historical halftime show in controversy

The 2026 NFL Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, announced on Sept. 28 that the artist playing their halftime show would be Puerto Rican rapper Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, otherwise known as Bad Bunny.

Prior to the Super Bowl, he made an announcement in late September confirming that his tour would not be in the US. This was due to his concern with the large amount of immigration enforcement.

This was his first time as the featured performer during the game’s halftime show, though he made an appearance with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020 for the 54th Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Miami Gardens in Florida.

Bad Bunny publicly announced his plan to perform mostly in Spanish, his native language. He is known for the incorporation of his culture into his music. One of his most streamed songs, "BAILE INOLVIDABLE" (Unforgettable Dance) incorporates Latin dance and themes of family and unity.

Bad Bunny being picked to be the performer for the 2026 Super Bowl has caused a large amount of debate and controversy within the political world, even receiving comments from President Donald Trump. Many have gone to social media to criticize the NFL for not having an American performer. However, he is considered an American as Puerto Rico is an American territory.

The political affiliation of the musician has caused controversy as well. Criticism has also come from the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who has made comments against the league for picking a musician who is very openly outspoken against the presidency and their decisions in immigration enforcement. Bad Bunny recently made more comments of removing Immigration Customs Enforcement at the Grammy Awards, along with other musicians who spoke out, including but not limited to Billy Elish and Olivia Dean since the recent outrage across the nation to the murders of protestors and detainment methods.

“Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say 'ICE out.' We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans,” said Bad Bunny during his acceptance speech at the Grammys.

Conservatives have also criticized this due to the choice made last year of Kendrick Lamar doing the 2025 Half Time Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 59th Super Bowl who performed a show full of political messages including imagery and lyrics.

The NFL has been working to expand the American Football League internationally and this move widens their audience of viewers. Having a Spanish-speaking singer who incorporates so much of their culture into their music like Bad Bunny, who has said that he plans to showcase his heritage and home on stage, is a way to do that.

“More than half [58%] say they think the NFL got it right by choosing the Spanish singer to headline the big show, according to a new poll released by the "New York Times" on Monday, Feb. 2,” said Jackie Longo from The Sporting News on NFL players opinions of the league’s decision.

When it comes to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara when in preparation for the anticipated half time show, to simulate the conditions of the show put on, Mike Vrabel, coach for the New England Patriots, prepared his team for the conditions of the Super Bowl by blaring Bad Bunny on the locker room speakers for 14 minutes.

Outside of the controversy Bad Bunny is known for being a leading top artist in the music industry. He got his start on Soundcloud back in 2016, a German-made app where small rap artists were known to share their music. He may be known for his Spanish music, but he has also sung Yonaguni, a song that incorporates both Japanese and Spanish lyrics.

While he is an activist against immigration enforcement and racism, he has stood his ground on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ as an ally. He is known for his fashion including wearing clothing that some may consider not masculine. His album “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana” (I Do Whatever I Want) goes with his ideology to not allow himself to be defined by labels but rather a fluidity.

When it comes to fashion, he is known for attending events in a large variety of looks. Some like his MET Gala in 2025 where he wore a Prada suit and a Prava, which is a straw hat, weaved with leaves of the Puerto Rican hat Palm.

He also recently appeared on Saturday Night Live’s 51st season as the host. He was joined with Marcello Hernández in a sketch poking fun at their native language trying to explain it to those who did not understand it. He also poked fun at those who opposed him being the Musician of the 60th Super Bowl in his opening monologue talking about how happy everyone was about him being picked, montaging Fox News clips meant to be amusing.

"I'm very excited to be doing the Superbowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy," he spoke, opening to the SNL episode.

He incorporates his love for his home of Puerto Rico and his heritage as a Latin American in his music, fashion and his spoken word through language and activism He establishes that he does not care about the hate he may receive and that he will continue to be who he is and do what he wants. Bad Bunny has continued to be outspoken, leading with his constant message of love being more powerful than hate as he encourages unity.

Devin Bates (they/he) is a journalism major at IU Indianapolis with an interest in writing and the arts. In their free time they can be found working on their project cars or writing, but he also enjoys crafts like cosplay and listening to music or gaming.

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