After months of controversy and backlash surrounding the Super Bowl LX halftime show, Bad Bunny became the first solo Latin artist to headline the event.
The choice to feature the Puerto Rican musician had been criticized by President Donald Trump and some conservatives. Turning Point USA — a conservative activist group founded by Charlie Kirk — even offered an alternative halftime performance.
Here’s what happened during the much-anticipated event.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show in Spanish
Bad Bunny performed almost exclusively in Spanish and gave a spirited performance honoring Latin culture.
Surrounded by sugar cane fields, Bad Bunny took the football field wearing a white, No. 64 football jersey bearing his real last name, “Ocasio.” He danced alongside men in traditional straw hats before moving to a New York street-style set complete with bodegas, fruit vendors and a La Casita.
The performance also featured a wedding ceremony, with a real couple exchanging vows live during the halftime set.
Before closing out his Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny called out, “God Bless America” in English, followed by the names of countries across the Americas and the Caribbean, concluding with, “And my mother land, Puerto Rico.”
Bad Bunny finished his halftime set with “DtMF,” raised a football inscribed with “Together, we are America,” and then calmly exited the stadium.
Bad Bunny performs in Spanish
Bad Bunny delivered the first all-Spanish halftime performance in the 60-year history of the NFL’s Super Bowl championship game.
During his 13-minute set, Bad Bunny performed several of his hits, including “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Nuevayol,” “Yo Perreo Sola” and “Baile Inolvidable,” supported by a large ensemble of dancers and actors.
The singer, who performs almost exclusively in Spanish, introduced himself in his native language and spoke English only at the conclusion of his set with the phrase, “God Bless America.”
Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin make cameos
The first surprise appearance of Bad Bunny’s set came from Lady Gaga, who sang a salsa-inspired version of “Die with a Smile” with a live band and later danced with Bad Bunny on the field while wearing a flamenco-style baby blue dress.
Puerto Rican singer and actor Ricky Martin also made a cameo during the show, performing a verse of Bad Bunny’s song, “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.” The musicians have previously collaborated on Bad Bunny’s debut album, with Martin singing vocals in the song “Caro.”
The set also included brief appearances from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Karol G, who danced together in the La Casita set.
Bad Bunny’s billboard message
Bad Bunny closed out his Super Bowl performance with a billboard behind him reading, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Last week at the Grammy Awards, the performer openly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” he told the Grammy audience during his award acceptance speech.
“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” the musician added. “So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”