On Sunday, Sept. 28, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was announced as the next Super Bowl performer.
The Puerto Rican star will make history as the first male Latin artist to headline the halftime show. However, since being announced, the artist has been met with intense backlash.
Conservative leaders, including President Donald Trump, have criticized the choice as the singer performs primarily in Spanish. On Oct. 4, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that ICE agents would be patrolling the Super Bowl.
Others who have criticized the choice include former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick.
“Oh fun,” she wrote on X after the announcement with an eye roll emoji. “No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year… not just for sports.”
In protest of Bad Bunny’s halftime, Charlie Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA announced their own “All American” Super Bowl Halftime Show headlined by Kid Rock.
The Grammy-winning musician addressed the criticism during his opening monologue while hosting the Saturday, Oct. 4 episode of Saturday Night Live.
“I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” Bad Bunny said in English, before switching to his native Spanish: “Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the world, and here, in the United States, all those who have worked to open doors,” he said.
“It’s more than an achievement for myself, it’s an achievement for all of us,” he continued. “It shows our footprint, and our contribution to this country, that no one will ever be able to take away or erase.”
RELATED: Fans Call Out Danica Patrick for Using Bad Bunny Song Before Bashing Him Online
Jennifer Lopez
During a Thursday, Oct. 9 appearance on CBS Mornings, the 2020 Super BowlHalftime Show performer was asked how she felt about backlash against the Puerto Rican star since he was announced as the next headliner.
“Music and art transcends language. It doesn’t matter. He’s done that probably more than anybody of any generation,” Lopez said. “The Super Bowl is great because it introduces you to people that don’t know you. I’m sure there was people that didn’t know me or Shakira or weren’t fans of ours.”
“But when they saw us, [they said] ‘Oh! That’s what they do.’ It’s an opportunity to show people who you are, what you’re about, what you believe in,” she continued. “It’s a big platform for artists. It’s probably the biggest stage that you could hope to be on. And I think it’s wonderful that people will get exposed to him who don’t know him.”
RELATED: Jennifer Lopez Defends Bad Bunny Amid Super Bowl Backlash
Shakira
Shakira performed alongside Lopez during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2020. She and Lopez were the first female Latin co-headliners of the show, and now Bad Bunny will make history as the first Latin male.
“Welcome back to the Super Bowl stage!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories following the announcement, adding, “Aquí va mi gente latina!!”
Jay-Z
Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, who serves as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist, praised this year’s choice in an interview with Vibe.
“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring,” he said. “We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
Bruno Mars
The pop singer, who headlined the Super Bowl in 2014 and was a guest performer in 2016, reshared a statement Bad Bunny made about his upcoming performance on X, adding, “Go get em Bad Bunny!”
LeBron James
During an interview with the ESPN LA 710 AM show on Oct. 1, the basketball player raved about attending Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico and shared his thoughts on the upcoming halftime show.
“I’m super happy for Bad Bunny that he’s able to represent the Super Bowl in San Francisco,” he said. “That’s gonna be super dope and hopefully, I could be there, man, to support him. He’s a great friend of mine. So I think that was great to see.”
Jelly Roll
Under Bad Bunny’s announcement post on Instagram, the country singer wrote, “From Wrestlemania to the Super Bowl- you inspire us all! Much love 🐰.”
Gloria Estefan
The Cuban-American singer-songwriter and two-time Super Bowl halftime show performer gushed over the musician during a Sept. 29 appearance on the Sherri show.
“I’m so happy for him … I think it’s great,” she said. “I think we need Latino representation in this particular moment. The Latinos have burned up that show. I have done two of them.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
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