Tensions have been brewing ever since Bad Bunny was announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show. Amid political turmoil in the U.S., reactions have been divided on the Puerto Rican native’s inclusion, with Shakira coming to his defense.
The Colombian singer knows a thing or two about appearing in front of thousands of football fans, having headlined the halftime show in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez.
“I remember when we did ours that even having part of our set in Spanish was a bold move… Acceptance of Spanish-language music as part of the mainstream has come so far from when I started,” she said in an interview with Variety.
Bad Bunny has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down as the headliner, and even took to SNL to tell fans that they have a few months to learn Spanish before the show.
“And I’m so proud that Bad Bunny, who represents not only Latin culture but also how important Spanish language music has become on a global scale and how universal it has become, is getting to perform on the biggest stage in the world. It’s the perfect moment for a performance like this. I can’t wait to watch it,” said Shakira.
While Shakira will be glued to her screen watching, not everyone is on board. A petition was started to remove Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, with country music legend George Strait.
The petition that was started by Kar Shell on Change.org claims Strait “embodies the heart and soul of American music.” While Strait has made no official comment, the petition has now surpassed 50k signatures.
Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson also commented on his lack of appreciation for the Puerto Rican singer. He admitted to not knowing any of his songs, but recalls the singer’s recent comments about the U.S. that didn’t sit right with him.
Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This story was originally reported by Men’s Journal on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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