Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, the Latin trap and reggaeton singer who we all know and love as Bad Bunny, exceeded expectations with his 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance on Feb. 8.
Bad Bunny’s show was built upon a beautiful representation of his culture as a Puerto Rican, including the music, the community, the dancing, the common cuisine and the shared experiences of many Latinx people.
The audience was taken on a journey which followed Bad Bunny as he performed his hit songs and as he interacted with the set in creative ways. We watched as he ate food from small vendor stands, connected with the crowds of talented dancers and musicians and led such a grand celebration of culture and life in just 13 minutes.
There was also LGBTQ+ representation with guest celebrities including Lady Gaga, who gave a rendition of “Die With A Smile” and Ricky Martin who sang bits of “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii.”
It is well known that his performance was enjoyed by many, as this halftime show was one of the top five most watched in Super Bowl history, with 128.2 million viewers according to ESPN.
Many students on Drew’s campus enjoyed the show as well, with one student saying, “I am constantly prideful about my heritage, but seeing it represented so enthusiastically and so realistically really reinforced how happy I am to be Puerto Rican. It shows that, no matter who you are, being proud of who you are and where you come from is the true meaning of being American,” said Ava Stroh (‘27).
Another main message which was conveyed through the halftime show was the fact that, “the only thing more powerful than hate is love.” This was featured on a billboard in the background of the stadium as Bad Bunny ended his performance by saying “God bless America” as he continued to list every country in North, South, Central and Latin America.
Others carried flags of these countries while the crowd gathered, which created a beautiful scene driven by community and filled with the notion that America is not simply represented by the United States.
This entire performance and its meaning felt very intentional given the divided state we are in today, and the fact that racism, prejudice and negativity continue to plague our nation. Bad Bunny’s performance was a topic of controversy before he even stepped foot on the field, though he truly delivered such a beautiful piece of art with everything that went into his show.
There were many other scenes which viewers may have missed as well that only boosted the intricacy of the show. One scene displayed a mother, father and son watching Bad Bunny’s speech at the 2026 Grammy’s, which then showed Bad Bunny handing his Grammy to the young boy, whom many interpreted as his younger self.
Another scene featured La Casita, which has been seen in many of Bad Bunny’s concert sets and albums. The house resembles a traditional Puerto Rican home, which was filled with liveliness and community during the halftime performance. Famous Latino celebrities such as Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Young Miko, Karol G and more were seen having fun and dancing with one another in La Casita as Bad Bunny performed which was very cool to see.
Similarly, the cameras showed El Sapo Concho, who is a character based off of Puerto Rico’s crested toad that is currently endangered. The character has been featured on many of Bad Bunny’s albums and songs, though he holds more meaning for the people of Puerto Rico.
There was even a real wedding which happened during the show, which was a shock to many, as even I thought the wedding was just a part of the elaborate set. This aspect added life and celebration to the show even more so, which was an amazing touch.
As someone who enjoys both football and good music, I was excited to see how both would turn out in this year’s Super Bowl. Yet, it is definitely safe to say that once the halftime show was over, I found myself wishing for more Bad Bunny and less football.
Casey Bush is a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in English: writing and communication
