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Bad Bunny delivers historic Puerto Rican celebration at Super Bowl halftime

BBC Sport •
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Bad Bunny made history as the first artist to perform a full Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime show, transforming football's biggest stage into a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture. The 29-year-old star filled his 14-minute set with nods to his homeland, emerging from a sugarcane field and performing alongside a replica casita - the traditional island home that's become his signature stage element.

Guest stars including Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joined the spectacle, which avoided direct political commentary despite expectations. Instead, Bad Bunny emphasized unity messages like "Together, We Are America" displayed on a football. The performance came weeks after his Grammy Awards speech criticizing U.S. immigration policies, creating contrast with tonight's more conciliatory tone.

Visual symbolism carried deep meaning - from climbing a damaged power pole recalling Hurricane Maria's devastation to wearing a sweater with the number 64, potentially referencing disputed storm death tolls. While former President Donald Trump called the show "terrible" on social media, millions witnessed an unprecedented platform for Latin music and culture.

Quick Fact: Bad Bunny was Spotify's most-played global artist in 2025.