Bad Bunny performs at the 2026 Super Bowl

McKoyler Thach- Reporter

 With fans from all around the nation cheering on their favorite teams from Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium seats to the comfort of their own couches, the 2026 Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots was a thrilling event for all of America.

   However, as excitement for the Super Bowl game grew, so did controversy surrounding Puerto Rican music artist Bad Bunny, who was expected to take part in the halftime performance.

   Performing songs from “Tití Me Preguntó” to “NUEVAYol,” the artist performed his top hits while also conveying several significant messages in his performance through his lyrics, symbolism and more.

   For example, Bad Bunny shouted “God Bless America” at the end of his performance and proceeded to list every nation and territory comprising the Americas.

   Listing regions from Canada to Panama, Bad Bunny celebrated the diversity among all Americans in his performance, expressing great appreciation for the Americas and their people.

   Additionally, Bad Bunny included a number of electric poles in his performance to represent and highlight the frequent blackouts that occur in Puerto Rico. Despite being U.S. territory, Puerto Rico’s power grids remain outdated and inefficient due to the lack of government support and funding. By including the electric poles in his performance, Bad Bunny represented the frustration of Puerto Ricans, as they suffered from not only controversy surrounding their identities as American citizens, but also negligence from the U.S. government.

   Alongside the consistent symbolism throughout his performance, Bad Bunny also held up a football that had a written message: “Together, we are America.”

   Bad Bunny’s incorporation of this message ultimately tied his entire performance together, as he celebrated American identity through symbolism, celebration and most of all music.

   Ultimately, the Super Bowl game attracted over 124 million viewers, making it the second most watched game on television.

   Despite differing views on Bad Bunny’s halftime show, the artist’s performance signified American identity and unity, making it a memorable performance across several headlines.