In a cultural moment that captured the attention of over 135 million viewers worldwide, the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara became the epicenter of a historic musical transformation. The Super Bowl halftime show, traditionally a showcase of mainstream pop, was reimagined through the lens of Caribbean identity and political defiance. Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known globally as Bad Bunny, delivered a performance that was less a standard concert and more a cinematic "love letter" to Puerto Rico, sparking a firestorm of celebrity reactions across social media.
Unbelievable Energy and Ecstatic Crowds
The star power was not limited to the stage; the sidelines were packed with Hollywood A-listers who were eager to voice their support. Among the most vocal was comedy icon Adam Sandler, who has grown close to the singer while filming Happy Gilmore 2. Sandler, who attended the game in person, was visibly moved by the performance.
In a post-show interview captured by Entertainment Tonight, Sandler couldn't contain his excitement for his co-star. "Benito was unbelievable," Sandler said, according to the original post on X. He described the atmosphere as "loose, happy, [and] made everybody ecstatic." Sandler, who has frequently praised the artist's character in the past, added: "I loved it, and congrats to the Bunny — he's a great human being."
Sandler’s support stood in stark contrast to earlier rumors that had suggested he might participate in a rival, conservative halftime event. The actor’s presence at the Levi's Stadium and his glowing review served as a definitive debunking of those claims, reinforcing the unifying nature of the "Benito Bowl."
Cinematic Spectacle and Cultural Pride
The performance transformed the football pitch into a vivid tapestry of Puerto Rican life. From lush sugarcane fields to high-energy house parties and a surreal wedding ceremony, the visual narrative was unapologetically Boricua. The show’s emotional peak arrived with a message displayed in all capitals across the stadium screens: “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.”
This sentiment echoed Bad Bunny’s recent Grammy acceptance speech for his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, where he reminded the world, "We are not savages, we are not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."
The musical arrangements further cemented this theme. While the artist is a global titan of reggaeton, he infused the set with traditional genres and even a salsa-inspired duet with Lady Gaga, who made a surprise appearance to perform a rendition of "Die With a Smile." The inclusion of stars like Ricky Martin, Cardi B, and Pedro Pascal during a house party segment underscored the "pulling power" of the artist, turning the halftime show into an inclusive celebration of Latino excellence.
Stars Applaud a "Proudly American" Moment
As the blue, red, and white fireworks faded, social media erupted with praise from some of the biggest names in entertainment. For many celebrities, the show represented a more inclusive and modern definition of American culture.
Grammy-winning country artist Kacey Musgraves was among the first to voice her admiration. In a post that quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: "That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done." Her comment alluded to the "All-American Halftime Show" held as a conservative alternative on the same night, contrasting Bad Bunny’s massive viewership with the smaller audience of the rival event.
Meanwhile, rapper Doechii posted on X: "Bad Bunny WOW ! [Redacted], WOW . History." The brevity of her post captured the stunned awe shared by many viewers who felt they were witnessing a shift in the American cultural landscape.
The international film community also weighed in. Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, currently in the Oscar race for The Secret Agent, reflected on the show’s geopolitical weight. He shared on X: "What a beautiful and extraordinary thing, Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl reminding the US who they are and where they are."
Political Undertones and National Identity
The performance was not without its subtle, yet pointed, political barbs. Bad Bunny carried the Puerto Rican flag of independence—the original design featuring a sky-blue triangle that was once outlawed—as a symbol of resistance and identity. During the performance of "El Apagón," dancers climbed fizzling electricity pylons, a direct reference to the chronic power outages and infrastructure struggles facing Puerto Rico.
Ricky Martin, who joined the stage to perform "Lo Que le Pasó a Hawaii," a song addressing gentrification, took to social media to express his exhaustion and pride. "I need several hours to process the tsunami of emotions I'm feeling," he shared in a post-performance update on his social channels.
The show even drew praise from the highest levels of state government. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had previously declared the day "National Bad Bunny Day" in the state, shared his enthusiasm on X, writing: "America, the beautiful. THANK YOU, BAD BUNNY."
Even sports icons were moved by the artistry. NFL legend Tom Brady succinctly summed up the feeling of many fans on his Instagram story, simply writing: "Amazing!!!!!!!!!"
A Divided Reception
Despite the overwhelming praise from the entertainment industry, the show became a flashpoint for political division. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to lambast the performance, labeling it "absolutely terrible, one of the worst" and calling it a "slap in the face to our country."
These comments triggered a swift defense of the artist from various media personalities. Piers Morgan responded on X, directly challenging the former president’s assessment: “Couldn't disagree more, Mr President. I absolutely loved Bad Bunny's halftime show … Oh, and Spanish is 1st language for 50m+ Americans!”
Meghan McCain also weighed in on the debate, offering a blunt critique of those who dismissed the show. She wrote on X: “I'm sorry but I just genuinely question your taste level if you didn't enjoy the Bad Bunny halftime show.”
Country star Zach Bryan took a more humorous approach to the cultural divide. On his Instagram story, he shared a video of someone mockingly blocking out Bad Bunny’s set with their hand while pretending to watch the alternative "All-American" show. He captioned the video: “What kid rock actually thinks is happening across America,” highlighting the disconnect between the alternative event’s narrative and the reality of Bad Bunny’s global dominance.
The Power of Representation
The significance of the halftime show extended beyond music. By shouting "God bless America" and immediately listing Puerto Rico alongside the United States, Bad Bunny challenged the traditional boundaries of American identity.
The Guardian’s Stefanie Fernández, in a five-star review, described the event as a celebration of "the love, the community and the absolute joy that we create together every day in spite of everything else." This idea was reflected in the artist’s own pre-show comments, where he stated his desire for people to have fun and experience "a lot of my culture."
With 135.4 million people tuning in, the performance solidified Bad Bunny’s status not just as a musician, but as a cultural diplomat. While the "All-American" alternative drew 5.2 million viewers, the sheer scale of the halftime show's audience proved that the appetite for diverse, multilingual, and socially conscious entertainment has never been higher.
As the conversation continues to swirl around the performance, one thing remains clear: Bad Bunny forced a conversation about what it means to be American, the power of cultural heritage, and the idea that, in the face of division, art can serve as a bridge. Whether through the inclusion of a sky-blue flag or a star-studded house party on the 50-yard line, the night belonged to the "Boricua joy" that resonated far beyond the stadium walls.
