Super Bowl LX: More Than Just a Game
On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will compete for the championship title at Super Bowl LX. However, alongside the athletic contest, a significant cultural confrontation is unfolding during the half-time show.
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, selected as the headliner, has drawn unprecedented criticism due to his outspoken stance against US immigration policies. Despite being a US citizen, some critics have even called for his deportation.
Half-time performances have historically ignited controversy, from Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction in 2004 to Beyoncé's 2016 debut of the Black Lives Matter anthem "Formation." This year, debates erupted before Bad Bunny—currently the world's most streamed artist, performing primarily in Spanish—even took the stage.
Republican figures expressed disapproval of his political views. An Alabama senator labeled the event the "woke bowl," US President Donald Trump described Bad Bunny's selection as "absolutely ridiculous," and the Speaker of the House called it a "terrible decision." In response, conservative group Turning Point USA organized a competing half-time event titled "All American," featuring Trump ally Kid Rock during Bad Bunny's performance.
With tens of millions expected to watch, the content of Bad Bunny's performance remains uncertain. At a Thursday press conference, the 31-year-old artist suggested his show would emphasize unity and healing rather than division.
"I know that the world is gonna be happy at this Sunday, and they're gonna have fun, and they're gonna dance and they're gonna have a good time," he said.
At the recent Grammy Awards, where he won the top prize, Bad Bunny was more forthright. Before thanking his producers and label, he declared "ICE out," referencing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers responsible for detaining immigrants across US cities.
Trump's election was partly based on promises to reduce illegal immigration, with the White House stating its policies aim to protect the public by deporting undocumented individuals with criminal records. These operations have faced scrutiny, especially after federal agents killed two American citizens in separate Minneapolis incidents.
"We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans," Bad Bunny stated onstage in English.
Puerto Rican Representation and Cultural Significance
Eddie Miranda, a Puerto Rican DJ based in Chicago, expressed that Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl is deeply personal.
"Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and not a lot of people know that," Miranda said. "To have a piece of America that's been ignored for so long on the stage is just extraordinary."
Miranda highlighted Bad Bunny's journey from working as a grocery store cashier in 2016 to proudly representing Puerto Rico—an American territory—with authenticity and love.
"Whether at a quinceañera or a club, the moment the first Bad Bunny beat drops, the energy in the room comes alive. That's why, Miranda believes, the NFL chose him 'to be that pioneer.'"
"With the hard times we're dealing with, when it comes to ICE and deportation, he'll be a leader for the whole Latino community," he added. "He will speak on those matters somehow, either through symbolism or him saying something directly."
Profoundly Political Presence
Vanessa Díaz, professor at Loyola Marymount University specializing in Chicano and Latino studies and co-author of P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance, described Bad Bunny's half-time appearance as "profoundly political."
Joining him on stage will be pop-punk band Green Day, but Bad Bunny will be the first artist to perform the entire half-time show in Spanish.
The Super Bowl half-time show is among the most-watched music events globally, often attracting over 100 million US viewers. It frequently generates memorable moments, such as Katy Perry's "left shark" in 2015.
In recent years, especially under Jay Z's Roc Nation management, the show has become a platform for national political discourse. For example, Beyoncé's 2016 tribute to the Black Panther Party, featuring dancers in leather and berets, prompted calls for boycotts.
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's 2020 performance—which included Bad Bunny—used imagery evoking children in cages, widely interpreted as criticism of Trump's immigration policies. Lopez also wore a cape displaying both the US and Puerto Rico flags.
Unpredictable and Impactful Performance
Whether Bad Bunny will directly address the divisive US political climate remains unknown, but many expect some form of commentary.
Kimberly Contreras, a Latina from New York and longtime fan, expressed confidence that Bad Bunny would use the platform to make a statement.
"He speaks up for what he thinks politically. He doesn't change who he is for anyone. If people are uncomfortable with that, that's on them."
Bad Bunny has consistently used his influence to highlight critical issues, showcasing his culture, supporting the LGBTQ community, and advocating for Puerto Rico's self-determination. Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898.
Vanessa Díaz noted,
"What makes Bad Bunny so exciting, is that we really never know what we're going to get with him. He has kind of always done the unexpected."
During his last tour, Bad Bunny avoided mainland US cities due to concerns about immigration enforcement detaining fans, opting instead for a residency in Puerto Rico that generated millions for the island's economy.
The opening track of his Grammy-winning album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (DTMF), titled "NUEVAYoL," features a music video set in New York. It includes a Donald Trump-like voice delivering an apology stating, "this country is nothing without the immigrants." The video also shows Bad Bunny raising the pre-US Puerto Rican flag atop the Statue of Liberty's crown.
Performing these songs during the half-time show is expected to be polarizing.
Albert Laguna, associate professor of American Studies at Yale University who taught a course on Bad Bunny's musical aesthetics and politics, commented,
"Bad Bunny is offering another vision of what American-ness is - a vision that is not in line with what Trump and the Trump administration is selling."
Bad Bunny also criticized the Trump administration's response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, which devastated Puerto Rico. He accused officials of abandoning the island and failing to provide sufficient aid to residents, who are US citizens but lack voting rights and congressional representation. Approximately 3,000 people died, and the storm caused $90 billion (£68 billion) in damages.
The Trump administration maintains it delivered a "swift and historic" response, providing billions in federal aid for Puerto Rico's recovery.
Mutual Benefit Between Bad Bunny and the NFL
Experts like Laguna and Díaz believe the NFL benefits more from featuring Bad Bunny than vice versa, noting the league's recent efforts to attract Latino audiences and expand globally through games in London and Mexico.
Featuring artists like Bad Bunny signals a departure from the NFL's traditionally conservative image. After Bad Bunny's "ICE out" statement at the Grammys, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised him and reaffirmed the league's decision to spotlight the artist.
"He understood the platform he was on, and that this platform is used to unite people," Goodell said.
Fans who attended Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico residency shared hopes that the half-time show will capture the same energy and spirit. Many anticipate the inclusion of La Casita, a salmon-colored structure from his world tour designed to resemble a traditional Puerto Rican home.
"I hope he doesn't let critics determine what kind of songs he plays," said Victor Almeda, a Puerto Rican living in Orlando, Florida. "It's important to stick to his roots and represent Puerto Rico the most he can."
