“If you didn’t understand what I said… you have four months to learn Spanish.” This quote shocked and excited audience members and viewers alike during Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) monologue. This line was said in response to his selection as the headliner of the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show and the controversy surrounding it.
Bad Bunny, or Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, was selected to headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show that will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Bad Bunny grew up in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, and rose to fame on Soundcloud in the 2010s through his production of Latin rap and reggaeton (a Latin music genre that combines reggae, dancehall, and hip hop) songs released on the platform. He is one of the most-streamed artists in the world, having amassed over 100 billion total streams on Spotify, and has previously headlined major events like Coachella. Bad Bunny is a three-time Grammy winner and performs primarily in Spanish. He is well-known for incorporating his Puerto Rican roots and identity into his lyrics, which brings recognition to his culture.
“Aquí mataron gente por sacar la bandera, por eso es que ahora yo la llevo donde quiera” (They killed people for waving the flag, that’s why now I take her everywhere),” rapped Bad Bunny in his song LA MuDANZA.
Bad Bunny’s selection to headline the Super Bowl is a major milestone for Spanish music and Puerto Rican representation because he will be the first artist to primarily perform a halftime show in Spanish.
However, the selection of Bad Bunny has stirred controversy. Some have questioned whether to promote an “American” event with a performer who will not be singing in English. Despite this backlash, Bad Bunny has not backed down and has responded with jokes and reaffirmation of his cultural pride.
“[It] is more than an achievement of mine, it’s an achievement of all [Latinos], demonstrating that our mark and our contribution to this country can never be erased or removed,” Bad Bunny said.
“I think everybody is happy about it — even Fox News,” Bad Bunny said on SNL.
Bad Bunny’s lighthearted response is commendable and is a testament to his character. These bold public stances are consistent with professional decisions he has made in the past.
On Bad Bunny’s most recent sold-out tour, called the “Most Wanted Tour,” he denied any stops in the United States.
“There was the issue of like ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” Bad Bunny said.
Despite the fact that Puerto Ricans have been considered US citizens since 1917, Bad Bunny is worried about ICE targeting members of his audience, which shows how cultural and linguistic differences can lead to misunderstandings.
Regardless of the controversy, Bad Bunny’s performance at the Halftime Show, scheduled for Feb. 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX, is both a huge personal and cultural achievement.
