Fresh off his historic Album of the Year win at the Grammys, the Puerto Rican superstar turned the NFL’s biggest stage into a 13-minute tribute to his roots, featuring a star-studded guest list that included Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
A Night for the History Books
The air in Santa Clara was electric as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio stepped out in a custom cream football jersey emblazoned with his mother’s maiden name, “Ocasio,” and the number 64. As the first solo Latino and native Spanish speaker to headline the show, Bad Bunny didn’t just perform; he built a world.
The stage was a vibrant recreation of Puerto Rican life, complete with domino players, a piragua (shaved ice) stand, and even a real-life wedding ceremony that took place during the performance. This was “Benito’s World,” and for 13 minutes, 100 million people were just living in it.
The Surprise Guests: Gaga, Martin, and More
While Bad Bunny was the undisputed main character, he brought along some serious reinforcement to help bridge the cultural gap:
Lady Gaga: In the night’s most viral moment, Gaga joined Benito for a Salsa-infused rendition of her hit “Die With a Smile.” Wearing a look inspired by traditional Caribbean carnival, Gaga’s adaptation and dance with Benito sent social media into a frenzy.
Ricky Martin: The elder statesman of the “Latin Explosion” returned to the Super Bowl stage to perform “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” a poignant anthem about colonization that added a layer of political depth to the party.
The Cameo Parade: The sidelines were packed with stars who joined the “casita” on field, including Cardi B, Karol G, Pedro Pascal, and Jessica Alba.
Viewership and Critical Reception
Early data suggests that Bad Bunny is on track to shatter records. Preliminary reports indicate the show pulled in a staggering 135.4 million viewers, potentially dethroning Kendrick Lamar (133.5 million in 2025) as the most-watched halftime show in history.
“Together We Are America”
As the show reached its crescendo with the track “DtMF,” Bad Bunny held up a football with the message “Together, We Are America” written on the side. He addressed the stadium in English with a resonant “God bless America.” However, he immediately expanded the definition of that sentiment by launching into a rhythmic “roll call” of the entire Western Hemisphere—naming countries from Chile, Argentina, and Brazil to Mexico, Canada, and the United States, as a sea of diverse flags marched across the field. The performance culminated with Benito spiking a football emblazoned with that same unifying message, a defiant and poetic reminder that “America” is a continent of many voices, not just one nation
What did you think of the show?