By Amelia Campbell
Bad Bunny leads a celebration of cultural diversity in ground-breaking Super Bowl halftime show
Sunday the 9th of February saw a series of milestones accomplished during Super Bowl 60. Not only did the Seahawks win their second ever Super Bowl title, but the first Venezuelan athlete, Andrés Borregales, competed in the match.
However, arguably the most notable aspect of the night came when Bad Bunny transformed the half-time show into a global cultural celebration watched by millions, including many of us within our own school community.
Less than a week after making history at the Grammys, becoming the first artist to win ‘Album of the Year’ with an entirely Spanish-language album, Puerto Rican superstar Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, stepped onto one of the biggest stages in America to share his culture with the world.
Kicking off with his iconic “Tití Me Preguntó”, the audience was led through a rich, glimmering set design that recreated slices of Puerto Rican life. The stage featured colourful bodegas (small neighbourhood convenience shops), stands selling tacos and piraguas (a traditional Puerto Rican shaved-ice dessert), and the famous pink ‘La Casita’ from his recent residency. The house was filled with Latino celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Karol G and Pedro Pascal, who joined the on-stage party, reinforcing the atmosphere of community.
Performing “Monaco” from his 2024 album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”), Bad Bunny addressed the crowd with a brief but inspiring message about believing in oneself. For students watching, this felt especially relevant, a reminder that ambition is not limited by language, background or origin.
Amongst the performance’s surprises, a real wedding was officiated live on stage, standing out as a clear celebration of love and joy. Lady Gaga joined the festivities, performing “Die With a Smile” with a sprinkle of sazón (a Spanish word meaning flavour or spirit). She wore a light blue dress inspired by the original Puerto Rican flag and held La Flor de Maga, the island’s official flower, before joining the host in a dance to “Baile Inolvidable”.
Another notable appearance came from Ricky Martin, who performed “Lo Que Pasó A Hawaii” while seated on one of the two chairs seen on the DtMF album cover. He was accompanied by the traditional cuatro, a small guitar-like instrument that originated in Puerto Rico in the 16th century and was played by jíbaros (rural Puerto Rican farmers). This moment connected modern Latin pop with the island’s musical heritage.
After “El Apagón” (“The Blackout”), Bad Bunny concluded with “Café con Ron” as fireworks rose and flags from across the Americas were paraded. He listed countries from south to north, ending with his homeland, Puerto Rico, a deliberate statement of pride.
The performance opened with a jíbaro wearing a traditional straw hat known as a pava, symbolising Puerto Rico’s agricultural history. The staging travelled through imagery of the island’s historic sugar and fruit farms, acknowledging generations of agricultural workers. The show also featured Toñita, the owner of one of the last surviving Puerto Rican social clubs in Williamsburg, as mentioned in his song “NUEVAYoL”. Bad Bunny has previously supported her business, helping it to continue operating, reinforcing his commitment to uplifting community spaces.
Alongside these references were familiar Latino experiences, children dozing across chairs while adults danced at the wedding, and people playing “dominoes”, a social ritual that bridges generations and symbolises the warmth of the Latin community.
Beyond celebration, the performance carried political meaning. During “El Apagón”, Bad Bunny climbed an electric pole to symbolise Puerto Rico’s frequent power cuts, highlighting concerns about government neglect of the island. This moment shifted the tone from festive to reflective, reminding viewers that culture and politics are often intertwined.
Whilst some critics questioned aspects of the show’s style, including its primary use of Spanish instead of English, many praised it as a historic celebration of pride and representation. In a diverse school community such as ours, representation on global stages matters. Bad Bunny did more than entertain millions, he immersed them in his culture and used the platform to promote unity.
As he himself has said, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”