Bad Bunny to Make History as First Latino Headliner of Super Bowl Halftime Show

Puerto Rican superstar's performance sparks excitement among immigrant communities in Louisville

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican music sensation, will make history as the first Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. This milestone has generated excitement among Puerto Rican and immigrant communities in Louisville, Kentucky, who see it as a powerful celebration of Latino culture and representation.

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer is a significant moment for the Latino community, as he will be the first artist to lead a Spanish-language show on the biggest stage in American sports. His outspoken support for immigrant rights and Puerto Rican pride also resonates with many in Louisville's diverse population.

The details

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has built a massive global following with his blend of reggaeton, trap, and Latin pop. Before achieving stardom, he worked at a grocery store in Puerto Rico and then left the island to pursue his musical dreams. His story of resilience and success has inspired many immigrants, including those in Louisville.

  • Bad Bunny performed a sold-out show at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville in 2024.
  • The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny will take place on February 9, 2026.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican music superstar known for his genre-blending sound, outspoken support for Puerto Rican and immigrant communities, and historic selection as the first Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

Angel Lopez

A longtime Bad Bunny fan who attended the artist's 2024 concert in Louisville and appreciates how he represents Puerto Rican culture and identity.

Ricky Santiago

A Louisville resident who is excited to see a Puerto Rican performer headline the Super Bowl halftime show, given his own background in football as a player and coach.

Haja Kamara

A Sierra Leone immigrant living in Louisville who has become a newer fan of Bad Bunny and sees his story as resonating with the immigrant experience of resilience and overcoming barriers.

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What they’re saying

“He constantly represents Puerto Rico: the slang, the culture, the sounds, the visuals, even social issues. He never hides where he's from, and that gives people pride, especially Latinos who rarely saw that level of representation before.”

— Angel Lopez (wave3.com)

“I played football in high school. I was a coach, so I've been involved in football the majority of my life, so to see a Puerto Rican and seeing other Latino players break into the NFL, but have a Puerto Rican be the headliner at the Super Bowl, is an incredible honor. I think a lot of folks from the island share that sentiment.”

— Ricky Santiago (wave3.com)

“As the immigrant process and the immigrant path to making a life in the United States, it's just being so resilient in the United States and working through any barriers that comes your way. So that's what Bad Bunny stands for, regardless of anything that has came in his way. He has stood by what he stands for, stood by his community, stood by his work and his mission in the world.”

— Haja Kamara (wave3.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny will take place on February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's historic selection as the first Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show represents a powerful moment of representation and celebration for Puerto Rican and immigrant communities in Louisville and beyond. His music, story, and outspoken advocacy have resonated deeply with these populations, who see his success as an inspiring example of resilience and the pursuit of dreams.