Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Celebrated Latinx Identity Across the Americas

The Puerto Rican superstar's performance resonated far beyond the U.S., sparking celebrations and reflections on cultural visibility and political vulnerability.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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When Bad Bunny said 'God bless America' during the Super Bowl halftime show and then began naming countries across the continent, the line landed as both wordplay and statement. In Spanish, 'América' often means the entire hemisphere, not a single nation, and the distinction mattered to millions watching from afar. Across Mexico, Puerto Rico and Latino communities in the United States, Bad Bunny's halftime performance was received as more than entertainment - it was a moment of pride and recognition for Spanish-language artists commanding one of the most watched stages in American pop culture.

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's performance highlighted the growing cultural influence of Latinx artists and the desire for greater representation and inclusion, even as Latinos in the U.S. face heightened immigration enforcement and political vulnerability. The moment sparked celebrations but also reflections on the limits of visibility and the need for deeper change.

The details

During Bad Bunny's 13-minute halftime show, he listed countries across the Americas, drawing loud cheers from bars and watch parties in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Latino communities in the U.S. Many fans described the performance as a statement of inclusion, with Bad Bunny turning the linguistic tension around the word 'America' into a celebration of the entire hemisphere. The performance was seen as a milestone, with artists no longer feeling pressure to sing in English to reach mainstream audiences.

  • Bad Bunny performed during the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap artist who headlined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, performing in Spanish and celebrating the diversity of the Americas.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who criticized Bad Bunny's halftime show performance as 'absolutely terrible' and 'an affront to the Greatness of America'.

Claudia Sheinbaum

The president of Mexico, who said that a phrase shown during Bad Bunny's performance - 'the only thing more powerful than hate is love' - underscored a message of unity.

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What they’re saying

“It really moved me. With everything that's going on politically in the United States, and all the hostility toward Latinos ... seeing a Latino come out and sing in Spanish at the biggest show in the world was incredible.”

— Laura Gilda Mejía, Schoolteacher and NFL fan

“I'm not a huge Bad Bunny fan musically, but culturally he did it very well.”

— Chrystian Plata, Singer and New York Giants fan

“Music has no borders. Language has no borders. ... You don't have to speak our language to enjoy our culture. This is global.”

— Alexandra Núñez, Resident of Caguas, Puerto Rico

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show performance celebrated the growing cultural influence of Latinx artists and the desire for greater representation and inclusion, even as Latinos in the U.S. continue to face heightened immigration enforcement and political vulnerability. The moment sparked pride and reflections on the limits of visibility, underscoring the need for deeper change to address systemic inequalities.