The NFL doubled down on its selection of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show Wednesday, as an online petition to replace the international superstar with George Strait reached 70,000 signatures.
The NFL’s decision has drawn criticism from some conservative leaders, including President Donald Trump and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters the decision to select Bad Bunny was “carefully thought through,” and “it’s going to be a great show,” the Associated Press reported.
The petition to replace Bad Bunny, posted on change.org since Oct. 1, claims that some halftime performances in recent years haven’t been “family-friendly,” and echoes similar calls by some conservative public figures like Paxton to switch performers.
“The halftime show should respect all audiences and avoid messaging that alienates fans for their views, culture or language,” wrote Kar Shell, the organizer of the petition to replace Bad Bunny.
Who is Bad Bunny?
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is one of the world’s most popular Puerto Rican singers and rappers, known for his Latin trap and reggaeton music.
The 10-time Grammy-nominated artist has won three Grammy Awards and has topped music charts with hits such as Cardi B’s “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny, “DTMF,” “Baile Inolvidable,” “Moscow Mule” and “Mónaco.”
Bad Bunny, whose lyrics are primarily in Spanish, has been critical the Trump administration and its immigration policies, and cited ICE as a reason he didn’t plan U.S. tour stops this summer. In an interview with i-D magazine, the singer said he was concerned ICE agents might harass his fans.
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Who have critics of the NFL’s decision suggested instead of Bad Bunny?
Paxton said the Super Bowl performance needed “patriotism” and recommended country singer Jason Aldean as a replacement.
Shell, in the petition, said previous artists’ shows have been controversial and inappropriate for children. In addition to George Strait, the petition proposes other singers such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, and Cody Johnson.
The petition suggests the Bad Bunny performance would be a “political stunt” and says the artist’s style is “opposite of what families expect” at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
“In recent years, this performance has leaned increasingly towards modern pop and international artists. While this approach certainly broadens the audience, it’s pivotal to remember the roots that have made American music what it is today,” the petition states.
Who performed at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking Super Bowl Halftime show won a Creative Arts Emmy Award and was the most-watched halftime show ever, according to reporting by Billboard. It also drew 125 Federal Communications Commission complaints with a range of accusations, calling the show “divisive” and claiming the choreography was too “provocative,” Billboard reports.
When is the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Bad Bunny is set to take the stage at Super Bowl LX Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This article originally published at NFL sticks with Bad Bunny for Super Bowl show despite politician pushback, 70K-signature petition.
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