Super Bowl Bad Bunny Performance: Highlights, Surprises & Reactions

If you’re wondering what the “Super Bowl Bad Bunny Performance” was all about, here’s the scoop: Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl LX halftime show in Spanish, drawing 128.2 million viewers—outperforming the game’s average of 124.9 million—and delivered a flamboyant celebration of Latinx culture full of surprises, symbolism, and emotional power .

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Culturally Rich and Visually Immersive Show

Bad Bunny didn’t just perform songs—he built a world on stage. Starting with “Tití Me Preguntó,” he emerged through a sugar-cane-field-like set, complete with Latin American market elements like taco stands and a shaved-ice cart .

The set changed dynamically: there was a fake wedding, a house-party vibe, and dramatic show transitions—even Bad Bunny crowd-surfed and walked along power lines while holding a Puerto Rican flag—rich in both energy and meaning .

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Surprise Guests and Generational Bridges

This wasn’t a solo spotlight—Bad Bunny brought major stars on stage:

• Lady Gaga joined for a salsa reinterpretation of “Die with a Smile”
• Ricky Martin appeared for “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawái”
• Cameos also included Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and Jessica Alba

The visual montage, ensemble cast, and two megastars spanning generations emphasized both unity and respect for Latin heritage.

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Political Symbolism & Meaningful Messaging

Beyond entertainment, the show was politically resonant:

• Bad Bunny climbed power lines while performing “El Apagón,” a protest anthem referencing Puerto Rico’s continuing power crisis since Hurricane María
• He carried a light-blue triangle Puerto Rican flag—a symbol of the independence movement
• The performance concluded with flags of all Latin American countries and a powerful line of text: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love”

This wasn’t just a show—it was a cultural manifesto, redefining “America” continentally and prioritizing heritage and unity .

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Audience Impact & Cultural Reach

The performance shattered engagement records:

• 128.2 million U.S. viewers tuned in, marking the fourth-highest Super Bowl halftime audience ever
• It racked up 4 billion social media views in the first 24 hours—a staggering increase from prior years

On streaming platforms, the impact was dramatic:

• Spotify streams jumped dramatically: US streams rose by ~470%, global by ~210%
• “Yo Perreo Sola” surged over 2,000%, “El Apagón” soared ~1,300%
• On Apple Music, 23 tracks made the Top 100, including nine in the Top 25 and five in the Top 10

It became a benchmark for halftime performance as a separate cultural event.

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Public and Celebrity Reactions: Love and Outrage

The show split opinion sharply—but inspired a tidal wave of cultural conversation:

Praise and Cultural Pride

• Marc Anthony lauded Bad Bunny for uplifting Latin culture and representing Puerto Rico with pride
• Adam Sandler celebrated the energy and emotional resonance: “Benito was unbelievable… he made everyone ecstatic.”
• Celebrities across platforms—Kacey Musgraves, Kerry Washington, Camila Cabello, Elmo—expressed how moved they were

Kacey captioned: “Well. That made me feel more proudly American…”

Criticism and Backlash

• Donald Trump slammed the performance as “one of the worst ever” and an “affront to the Greatness of America”
• Jon Stewart called conservative backlash “actually pathetic,” mocking the expectation that halftime shows must be English-only
• Jimmy Kimmel defended the inclusion of Spanish, noting that language shouldn’t limit cultural celebration
• Sports influencer Amanda Vance faced backlash for publicly ignoring the show, losing followers and drawing accusations of performative patriotism

Men’s Journal and other platforms recorded polarized public sentiment—X posts ranging from “We all f***ing loved it” to “I absolutely hated it”

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Why This Show Mattered

• It was history-making: First solo Latinx headliner to perform mostly in Spanish
• Set the bar for inclusivity and storytelling: Mixing high production with political messaging is rare in such a venue
• Concrete cultural and commercial impact: Streaming data and social metrics show this was more than a moment—it was a movement
• Triggered a national conversation: Language, identity, and what it means to be “American” are back in focus

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Concluding Thoughts

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show transcended expectations. It wasn’t merely a setlist or spectacle—it was a statement. Bold, colorful, and unapologetically Puerto Rican, it redefined pop culture in real time. By melding heritage, political symbolism, and artistry, it delivered one of the most memorable shows in Super Bowl history.

This performance confirmed that global stages are ready for languages beyond English—and that cultural identity doesn’t divide—it illuminates.

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FAQs

What songs did Bad Bunny perform during the Super Bowl halftime show?
He opened with “Tití Me Preguntó,” then performed “Yo Perreo Sola,” “Baile Inolvidable,” “Nueva Yol,” “El Apagón,” “Café con Ron,” and closed with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” plus special appearances with Lady Gaga’s “Die with a Smile” and Ricky Martin on “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawái.”

Who appeared with Bad Bunny on the halftime stage?
Guests included Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and Jessica Alba—all adding star power and emotional layers to the show.

How big was the audience for the halftime show?
The halftime show drew 128.2 million viewers in the U.S.—even more than the game itself—marking it the fourth-most-watched halftime show ever.

Did the performance boost Bad Bunny’s streaming numbers?
Yes—Spotify streams surged 470% in the U.S. and 210% globally. Multiple songs shot to the top of Apple Music charts, and Shazam saw record engagement.

What symbolism was included in the show?
The performance featured Puerto Rico’s independence flag, power line visuals referencing the island’s electrical crisis, and flags of Latin American nations to reinforce identity, resilience, and collective unity.

How did public figures react to the performance?
Reactions ranged from heartfelt praise—like Marc Anthony, Adam Sandler, and Kacey Musgraves—to cultural critiques from figures like Donald Trump. Others, including Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel, defended the performance’s inclusivity and significance.