Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show breaks records, sparks cultural debate

Bad Bunny’s Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show became one of the most watched and talked‑about performances in the event’s history, drawing massive global viewership and igniting a fierce cultural conversation.

His 13‑minute, predominantly Spanish‑language set celebrated Latin culture, LGBTQ+ pride and unity, ultimately drawing an estimated 135 million viewers, making it the most viewed halftime performance ever.

The Puerto Rican star delivered a vibrant show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featuring appearances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and others, and paying tribute to his heritage through visuals, music and message.

Many fans and celebrities praised the performance for its emotional impact and cultural significance, with supporters saying it made them feel “proudly American” and highlighted the diversity of audiences across the U.S. and beyond.

While the show received widespread acclaim online and from entertainment figures, it also drew significant criticism from conservative commentators and political voices. President Donald Trump and others publicly slammed the performance, particularly its Spanish lyrics and style, labeling it “terrible” and questioning its fit on America’s biggest televised stage. Responses like these helped fuel broader debate over what the halftime show represents and how cultural identity is expressed in mainstream entertainment.

Social media reactions reflected that divide. Many fans celebrated the performance’s energy, passion and representation of under‑represented cultures, while others criticized it for not fitting traditional expectations of a Super Bowl halftime show or not being fully understood due to the language difference.

Messages ranged from praise for the visual spectacle to calling it “boring” or too political, illustrating the show’s polarizing effect.

In the hours after the performance, Bad Bunny made headlines again by deleting all posts from his Instagram account, a move that sparked online speculation and added another chapter to the conversation surrounding his Super Bowl moment.

Overall, the halftime show cemented Bad Bunny’s status as a global cultural force, breaking viewership records while highlighting ongoing debates about representation, entertainment and cultural expression on one of the world’s largest stages.