More Than the Game: Why Bad Bunny’s Half Time Show Mattered

This year's Super Bowl LX wasn’t just about football; it was about culture, identity, and connection. While the game itself had around 125 million viewers, the most talked about moment was undoubtedly Bad Bunny’s half time performance. Between 8:15-8:30 PM, the time of the half time show, viewership reportedly peaked at 128.2 million, making it into the top 5 most watched Super Bowl halftime shows ever, up there with icons like Michael Jackson and Rihanna. Equally as impressive, this half time show generated the highest total social media engagement of any half time show. The three most viewed NFL social media posts of the night were all Bad Bunny moments. 

Photo: Bad Bunny during Super Bowl Halftime Show performance

This kind of impact does not happen by accident. From the start, I thought the performance felt very intentional. Bad Bunny didn't just sing his songs, he delivered a message. One of the most powerful lines of the night was displayed on a big screen under the Levis stadium sign, reading: “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” In a country that has been very divided in recent years, this statement means a lot. It wasn’t political in an overt way, but it was human and hopeful. 

Another moment that really stood out to me was when he said “God bless America” and then proceeded to name all of the South, Central, and North American countries. This choice mattered. Instead of limiting “America” to just the United States, he expanded it to include the whole continent, providing representation for 26 countries. This was a reminder that identity is bigger than borders. For many Latino viewers, this moment was about recognition on one of the biggest stages in the world. 

The set up of the show and the visuals also supported Bad Bunny’s message. The stage included symbolic imagery, cultural references, and the show was a powerful mix of Spanish and English lyrics. Special guests like Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, and Pedro Pascal appeared in the background throughout the show, which added to the celebration of Latin and global influences in mainstream pop culture. Some bigger appearances also included Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Lady Gaga appeared midshow to perform a salsa infused version of “Die with a Smile" instead of singing it in the usual style. She adapted the song to Latin rhythm and instrumentation, which blended her voice with Bad Bunny’s world and style. Ricky Martin, who appeared after Lady Gaga, performed the acoustic version of “Lo Que Le Paso a Hawaii,” which highlighted Puerto Rican culture. Personally, I thought Lady Gaga’s and Ricky Martin’s performances were phenomenal, and both had a tremendous amount of meaning behind their appearances. 

One of the most meaningful moments, however, came right before Lady Gaga made her appearance. Bad Bunny looked into the camera and said in Spanish, "Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60 es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí. Tú también deberías de creer en ti. Vales más de lo que piensas, créeme.” This translates to "My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I'm here today at Super Bowl 60, it's because I never, ever stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself. You're worth more than you think, trust me." Speaking in Spanish to millions of viewers, and encouraging people to believe in themselves no matter where they come from makes a big impact especially on young Latino viewers. Hearing “nunca dejé de creer en mí. Tú también deberías de creer en ti” on one of the biggest stages in the world was very powerful.

Of course, the night also featured strong performances outside of the halftime show. Charlie Puth delivered a solid, jazzy rendition of the national anthem, followed by planes flyover and colorful smoke to make the moment feel cinematic. Green Day opened the ceremony in honor of the Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary and past MVPs, and they performed a set that energized the crowd. Some viewers expected more political commentary from the band, but I personally think their song choices and lyrics were enough. 

Still, it was Bad Bunny who defined the night. His performance proved that the biggest stage in American sports does not have to be English only. In front of over 128 million viewers, he chose to emphasize love over hate and unity over division. In a moment watched by nearly the entire country, that message felt more important than the final score of the game.