Real Housewives Stars Criticized Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show

The controversy led to one Housewife being fired from an upcoming reboot

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Several Real Housewives stars, including Jill Zarin, Brandi Glanville, Taylor Armstrong, and Bethenny Frankel, criticized Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime show performance. Their comments sparked backlash, with Zarin ultimately being fired from an upcoming Real Housewives of New York reboot due to her racist remarks.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights ongoing debates around representation and cultural inclusion in major televised events like the Super Bowl halftime show. It also demonstrates the power of social media to amplify and scrutinize celebrity opinions, sometimes leading to professional consequences.

The details

After Bad Bunny's halftime show, which was primarily performed in Spanish, Jill Zarin posted a review calling it the "worst halftime show ever" because "no white people" were part of the performance. Zarin's comments were deemed racist, leading to her firing from the upcoming RHONY spin-off The Golden Life. Taylor Armstrong also criticized the show for being "totally in Spanish," though she later apologized. Brandi Glanville defended Zarin's right to her opinion, while Bethenny Frankel urged for more open dialogue instead of divisive rhetoric.

  • Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, 2026.
  • Jill Zarin posted her review criticizing the halftime show on February 8, 2026.
  • Blink49 Studios announced Jill Zarin's firing from The Golden Life on February 11, 2026.
  • Taylor Armstrong issued an apology for her comments on February 11, 2026.
  • Bethenny Frankel shared her thoughts on the controversy in a TikTok video on February 12, 2026.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican singer and rapper who performed the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, primarily singing in Spanish.

Jill Zarin

A former cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City who was fired from an upcoming RHONY spin-off due to her racist comments about Bad Bunny's halftime show performance.

Brandi Glanville

A former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills who defended Jill Zarin's right to her opinion on the halftime show, though she disagreed with Zarin's stance.

Taylor Armstrong

A former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills who criticized the halftime show for being "totally in Spanish," though she later apologized for her comments.

Bethenny Frankel

A former cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City who urged for more open dialogue and less divisive rhetoric in response to the controversy.

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What they’re saying

“To me, it looked like a political statement because there were literally no white people in the entire thing. I'm not taking a side, one way or the other... I think it was an ICE thing. I think that the NFL sold out, and it's very sad.”

— Jill Zarin, Former Real Housewives of New York City cast member (Cosmopolitan)

“Were you entertained? I am embarrassed for the NFL and Apple for the Super Bowl halftime show totally in Spanish with a Cuban flag!!”

— Taylor Armstrong, Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member (Just Jared)

“I want to address my earlier Instagram post about the Super Bowl halftime show. My post did not fully reflect my heart or my respect for the artist and culture as a whole. The Super Bowl is such a huge American tradition, and while I personally didn't connect with the creative direction of this year's halftime show, that doesn't take away from the fact that Bad Bunny IS an American and that the Spanish language is a prominent aspect of American culture. Evidently, my lack of awareness of the Latin culture led me to mistaken the flag as Cuban. I apologize to the Latin community and anyone else I may have offended. I'm always learning, always growing, and I appreciate the opportunity to clarify my heart and move forward with more thoughtfulness.”

— Taylor Armstrong, Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member (Just Jared)

What’s next

The judge in Jill Zarin's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow her to be reinstated on the upcoming RHONY spin-off, The Golden Life.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions around representation and cultural inclusion in major televised events, as well as the power of social media to amplify and scrutinize celebrity opinions. It serves as a reminder of the need for open dialogue, cultural awareness, and a recognition of the diverse tapestry that makes up American identity.