Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny transformed the Super Bowl on Sunday into a vibrant celebration of culture, emphasizing unity over division with his Spanish-language set — though it drew sharp criticism from President Donald Trump.
The 31-year-old, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, had sparked speculation about whether he would use the platform to renew his critiques of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Instead, he focused on sharing his culture through colorful visuals, music, and symbolism, largely avoiding overt political statements.
The performance opened with hits like “Titi Me Pregunto” and the feminist anthem “Yo Perreo Sola,” set against a backdrop resembling a Puerto Rican street scene with a sugar cane plantation, a “piragua” cart, and even a wedding. Dancers and surprise celebrity guests, including Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Cardi B, added to the festive atmosphere in the familiar “La Casita” set, representing a home in Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny wore an all-white ensemble with a football jersey labeled “64” and “Ocasio” before switching into a stylish suit jacket. He touched on political themes during “El Apagon” (“Blackout”), a song about Puerto Ricans being displaced on their own island and ongoing issues with the unreliable power grid. At one point, he waved the Puerto Rican flag.
A young boy, shown watching the Grammys on an old television, received a golden gramophone from Bad Bunny — perhaps representing a younger version of himself. The internet buzzed with speculation that the child was Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old recently detained by US immigration agents, but an NFL spokesperson confirmed the boy was an actor. An Instagram post from the child, Lincoln Fox, was tagged #youngbadbunny.
Special musical guests included Lady Gaga, who performed a Latin-infused version of her song “Die with a Smile” — the only English lyrics in the show — and Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin.
At the Grammys, Bad Bunny had openly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, earning cheers for saying “ICE out.” On Sunday, he refrained from directly calling out the president. Instead, he ended his performance by spiking a football emblazoned with “Together, we are America” after listing Latin American countries, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Canada. A stadium screen displayed: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Trump, however, expressed disapproval on Truth Social, calling the show “an affront to the Greatness of America” and adding, “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” despite over 41 million Americans speaking Spanish, according to government data.
Bad Bunny, Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally on four separate occasions, including last year, and the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year at the Grammys with Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, faced criticism for performing exclusively in Spanish at the Super Bowl in California. Conservative audiences expressed outrage over the language choice, though the NFL’s partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation — which directs entertainment strategy — has previously featured Latin artists like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, who did not perform entirely in Spanish.
Bad Bunny hails from Vega Baja, near Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan. Before his rise, he bagged groceries at a supermarket until a record label noticed his viral SoundCloud tracks, propelling him into global fame.
Late last year, he released Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, a Puerto Rican music-focused album, which he promoted with a hometown concert residency and world tour.
“For someone from here to be at one of the most important events in the United States is a source of pride for every Puerto Rican,” said Olvin Reyes, 39, speaking to AFP.
