“Together We Are America” – Bad Bunny Makes a Statement During Super Bowl Half-Time Show
Bad Bunny, the best artist of 2025 according to Spotify, graced the Super Bowl field with a half-time performance that united cultures and mended divisions. His act was filled with references to Latin American and Puerto Rican heritage and he called for one collective American identity composed of both North and South America. It might be just what the US needed, considering how deeply polarised it has become politically.
The reggaeton artist is known for fitting references to his homeland in between the verses of his songs. His hit album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” has quickly enchanted audiences and the imagery used in it, for example two plastic chairs on the cover of the album that represented family gatherings, resonated with listeners and reminded them of their childhood. Fans pondered how home doesn’t have to be a physical place but can instead be a memory, a feeling of nostalgia or, in this case, the sound of music.
In the half-time show, Benito managed to turn the Levi’s Stadium in California into a stage for an identity showcase. Puerto Rican heritage was conveyed by the set up resembling a traditional village and the choice of important symbols, which included the traditional ‘pava’ farmer’s hat or the famous, endangered crested toad. The stage was full of people dressed as sugar cane bushes and it had a Puerto Rican ‘casita’ at its centre.
There were special appearances from Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga and Cardi B, enriching the show with singing and salsa dancing. Arguably, the most surprising element of the show was the marriage ceremony that took place on stage. The internet was also flooded with predictions on who the small boy that Bad Bunny presented with his Grammy trophy was. A rumour was spread that it was Liam Conejo Ramos, a child who was detained by ICE agents in January and was later released. However, it turned out to be an actor, possibly representing the artist’s younger self.
It’s notable how Benito created a sense of community on stage, surrounding himself with elderly people playing dominoes, promoting authentic street vendors and depicting everyday life scenes like a child falling asleep on two chairs joined together during a family gathering.
The question remains how the performance was perceived by the football-loving, conservative spectators. Some argue that because the act was in Spanish, most of the audience was not able to fully engage with the messages of the songs. One of the only sentences said in English was “God Bless America.” Nevertheless, it is important to consider that the US is the fifth largest Hispanophone country and that Latinos are an influential group in the US.
Criticism from the MAGA crowd continued and many chose to boycott the performance and watch the alternative ‘All-American Halftime Show,’ organised away from the football field by Turning Point USA – a conservative organisation founded by Charlie Kirk, Trump’s deceased ally. Some controversies emerged as Kid Rock – the main performer on the Atlanta stage – delivered an out of sync, playback performance and faced backlash over resurfacing lyrics to his song “Daddy Cool,” which mention fascination with underage girls.
In terms of viewership, Bad Bunny’s show is estimated to have received 127.7 million viewers, meanwhile TPUSA’s Super Bowl show attracted approximately 5 million viewers.
Even Trump seemed to be watching the official half-time show instead of the MAGA one as he didn’t hesitate to review it and call it “an affront to the Greatness of America” on his Truth Social platform.
The billboard that read “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” concluded the show. With this message in mind, it is crucial to consider why there was so much backlash after a performance that intended to unite rather than divide.