The Bad Bunny halftime show at Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, delivered a dynamic, culturally rich spectacle that celebrated Puerto Rican and Latinx heritage with heartfelt storytelling and memorable surprise moments. Headlined by Bad Bunny, it featured special appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, integrated emotional and symbolic elements like a real wedding, and drove massive audience engagement across broadcast and streaming platforms.
Cultural Storytelling Through Performance
Bad Bunny transformed the Levi’s Stadium field into vibrant vignettes of Puerto Rican daily life—from sugarcane fields to corner markets—walking through each scene accompanied by over 300 dancers and moving stage pieces . A standout moment was when Bad Bunny climbed a telephone pole during “El Apagón,” evoking visual metaphors tied to Hurricane María’s aftermath and Puerto Rican resilience .
The performance also included deeply rooted cultural symbols like utility poles, a Puerto Rican flag with a light blue triangle (notable in independence movements), and a rhythmic montage of island life. These visuals underpinned a narrative of endurance, identity, and communal pride .
Setlist: Hits, Classics, and Grammy Moments
Bad Bunny’s setlist blended blockbuster originals and culturally resonant tracks:
- Opened with high-energy hits like “Tití Me Preguntó”, “Yo Perreo Sola”, and “Voy a Llevarte Pa’ PR” .
- Included a medley of nostalgic reggaeton tracks such as Don Omar’s “Dale” and Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” woven into “Safaera” .
- Highlighted new Grammy-winning music, featuring “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” and powerful songs like “El Apagón” and “Café Con Ron” .
- Ended with “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, topped with a unifying message of unity and love—displayed on the jumbotron and echoed in his actions .
Surprise Guests: Voices Across Generations
Lady Gaga
Delivered a salsa-infused rendition of “Die With a Smile”, infusing the show with cross-genre elegance and bridging pop spectacle with Latin rhythm .
Ricky Martin
Closed a multigenerational loop by joining Bad Bunny in “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” bringing the spirit of 90s Latin pop into the contemporary reggaeton narrative .
Star Cameos
Celebrities appeared on stage in non-singing roles during the iconic La Casita segment, including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, Young Miko, Alix Earle, and others .
Also present: Toñita, the Brooklyn bar owner, serving as a tribute to Puerto Rican community roots . And notably, a real couple was married live on stage, with Bad Bunny officiating—infusing authenticity, romance, and spontaneity .
Audience Impact & Cultural Reception
Bad Bunny’s halftime show held the attention of 128.2 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched in Super Bowl history, and charted as the fourth-highest halftime show ever . Social media reactions shattered records—4 billion views in 24 hours—and it sparked massive streaming surges, especially on Spotify and Apple Music .
Marc Anthony praised Bad Bunny’s representation of their Puerto Rican heritage and integrity onstage:
“Our culture was always worthy of celebration.”
Meanwhile, Jessica Alba described the show as a “love letter to Puerto Rico – and to all of America,” and said it gave her “full body chills” .
Controversy & Backlash
The performance drew sharp criticism from conservative voices. A Florida GOP representative demanded an FCC probe, condemning lyrical references to drug culture and profanity, and labeling the event as unsuitable for a broad audience . Kid Rock echoed disapproval in dismissive remarks, calling the performance a “DEI hire” and deriding it in political terms . Despite these, the dominant narrative remained one of cultural pride, emotional resonance, and unity.
Conclusion
This halftime show wasn’t just a concert—it was a bold cultural statement. Through layered visuals, meaningful symbolism, and heartfelt moments like the real wedding, Bad Bunny centered Puerto Rican identity in one of America’s most-watched stages. Special guest cameos and global star power added depth while reinforcing unity across generations. With record-breaking viewership, streaming spikes, and broad social acclaim, it shaped the halftime show as an unforgettable moment.
FAQs
How many viewers watched the Bad Bunny halftime show?
Roughly 128.2 million viewers tuned in, making the performance one of the most-watched in Super Bowl history .
Who joined Bad Bunny on stage?
Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin performed with him, while stars like Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, and Toñita appeared in visual cameos .
Was there anything unusual or emotionally unique?
Yes—Bad Bunny officiated a real wedding mid-performance and included deeply symbolic imagery like climbing a telephone pole during “El Apagón” to honor Puerto Rican resilience .
What cultural symbolism stood out?
Visuals evoked Puerto Rican struggles, independence motifs, and community imagery: from sugarcane fields to the independence-flag, domino players to food stands—all celebrating Latinx life and identity .
What was the public reaction?
The show drew widespread praise for its cultural pride and emotional impact. Celebrities like Marc Anthony and Jessica Alba offered glowing tributes, while critics sparked controversy over explicit content, prompting calls for FCC scrutiny .
Did the show have an impact on streaming platforms?
Absolutely. It triggered surges: Spotify streams rose nearly fivefold in the U.S., Apple Music saw 23 of his songs chart in the Top 100, and it became the most Shazamed Latin performance of the day .
This halftime show wasn’t about glitz for its own sake—it was an unapologetic celebration of heritage, visibility, and connection.
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