A halftime show rooted in culture and symbolism
In just over 13 minutes, Bad Bunny delivered a Super Bowl halftime performance that blended music, politics and cultural identity into a powerful statement about what it means to be American. Introducing himself by his full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the Puerto Rican superstar centered the show on the island’s traditions, history and place within the broader American story.
At a time when conservative voices have labeled him anti-American, the performance turned the question on its head. Bad Bunny did not reject America; instead, he expanded its definition, framing it as a shared continental identity rather than a single nation.
Unity across borders and generations
The show’s symbolism was deliberate and direct. After performing several of his biggest hits, Bad Bunny addressed the audience in English for the only time that night, saying “God Bless America.” He then listed more than 20 countries across North, Central and South America while dancers displayed their flags, with the United States and Puerto Rico prominently featured.
That moment culminated with Bad Bunny spiking a football emblazoned with the message “Together we are America,” before launching into a nostalgic anthem celebrating identity, roots and belonging.
Immigration, memory and self-reflection
During a performance widely understood as a tribute to immigrants and the Puerto Rican diaspora, Bad Bunny handed a Grammy statuette to a young boy resembling his younger self. The moment symbolized reflection, aspiration and the journey of immigrant families, resonating strongly amid ongoing national debates over immigration policy.
Although online rumors briefly misidentified the child, the gesture itself underscored solidarity with immigrant communities and reinforced the show’s broader message of dignity and inclusion.
Celebrating everyday life and love
Throughout the performance, the artist highlighted everyday Puerto Rican pastimes and traditions, including dominoes, boxing and multigenerational family life. One of the most memorable sequences followed a couple from a proposal to a wedding ceremony, unfolding live on stage.
The wedding scene culminated in a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga, who performed as the wedding singer before the newly married couple shared a celebratory moment. The sequence emphasized that love, family and the pursuit of happiness are universal values, not confined to any political ideology.
A closing message of hope
The performance featured appearances by numerous well-known figures and concluded with a clear and unmistakable statement projected across the stadium: “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”
By the end of the show, Bad Bunny had transformed the halftime stage into a declaration of cultural pride, unity and belonging, offering a vision of America defined by diversity, shared humanity and mutual respect.
