On Sunday, Sept. 28th, global top artist Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX for the upcoming year. Bad Bunny received a wide range of reactions from the public, and many topics have arisen since the announcement. So why is half of the American population divided in opinion over Bad Bunny performing at the 2026 halftime Super Bowl, and what discussions have emerged since the announcement?
Bad Bunny, also known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. His most recent album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos” (I Should Have Took More Photos) has been Ocasio’s most personal album yet, reflecting on his identity, his memories and his connection to Puerto Rico. With dozens of international music awards, he has made history by becoming the first non-English-speaking artist to win the MTV Video Music Award (VMA) for Artist of the Year in 2022. He is recognized worldwide as Latin America’s current top artist.
Ocasio announced his upcoming tour starting in November 2025 in May of 2025 and faced criticism for refusing to tour in the United States — excluding Puerto Rico. Ocasio said in a recent interview, “Latinos and Puerto Ricans of the United States could also travel here, or to any part of the world. But there was the issue that … ICE could be outside,” Ocasio said in an interview with i-D. “It’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
The artist has publicly criticized the United States’ ICE operations through social media and continues to critique the Trump Administration. In his music, Bad Bunny has also pushed back against anti-immigrant rhetoric. In the video for “NuevaYol,” a Trump-like voice admits that America depends on immigrants, directly flipping Trump’s past language. He has even said he avoids U.S. tour dates at times due to concerns that immigration enforcement could target his undocumented fans.
The musician and the Super Bowl have received heated feedback from vocal Americans. The controversy soon extended beyond social media when Corey Lewandowski, an adviser to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, warned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could be deployed to detain and deport undocumented immigrants attending the event.
In an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson on The Benny Show, Lewandowski stated, “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally—not the Super Bowl and nowhere else,” Lewandowski said in The Benny Show podcast. “We will find you, we will apprehend you, we will put you in a detention facility and we will deport you. That is a very real situation under this administration.”
Other prominent figures have been supportive of Ocasio and have encouraged him to continue with his goals.
“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage,” Jay Z said.
Julissa Arce, author and activist, expressed excitement about Bad Bunny’s performance, “I’m excited for him to do the Super Bowl at a time when we are being scared into hiding, into not speaking Spanish in public and worrying someone might hear us and call ICE on us.”
The artist has received mixed reactions from people worldwide but continues to express his deep pride and excitement for this performance.
“I’m going to enjoy. I’m going to embrace the moment,” Bad Bunny said in an interview with NBC. “I’m going to show what we have, our music, our culture. I’m just going to the stage to enjoy the moment and share it with everyone.”
His focus remains on celebrating his heritage, sharing his music and connecting with fans on a global stage. Regardless of differing opinions, his Super Bowl performance highlights the continuing intersection of music, culture and social conversation in high-profile events. Whether celebrated or criticized, his performance will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on both the Super Bowl stage and the wider cultural conversation.
