Bad Bunny has made history by becoming the first Super Bowl halftime show headliner to perform entirely in Spanish and host a wedding during the performance.
An already controversial choice for the main event, which is drawing criticism donald trump The rapper performed an eight-song set from his latest album, Debi Tirar Mass Photos, at the 60th edition of the NFL’s biggest event.
Fireworks at Levi Stadium after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots. Photo: San Francisco Chronicle/AP
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike McDonald (right) and quarterback Sam Darnold (left) hold the Lombardi Trophy. Photo: AP
Aidan Durdey, the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and the first British coach to appear in a Super Bowl, was celebrating. Photo: AP
The US President, who attended last year’s event, however, was sharply critical of the halftime show, calling it “an insult to America’s greatness”.
Mr Trump is facing a race controversy after he shared a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys on his Truth Social account.
The White House initially defended the post and removed it a few hours later – blaming a staff member for “accidentally” sharing the video.
Donald Trump later said that “of course” he condemned it but did not apologise.
Why did Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show cause a stir?
Fresh off winning Album of the Year at the Grammys, Bad Bunny – real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – performed on a Puerto Rican-inspired stage set up at Levi’s Stadium in California.
While he made headlines at the Grammys saying “ICE OUT”, Benito concluded his set with a more modest political statement.
Bad Bunny performs during the halftime show. Photo: Reuters
Walking towards the camera, the rapper said, “God Bless America,” and then named the countries of the Americas – “Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil” as well as the US and Canada – in front of a sign that read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Benito also performed his 2022 track El Apagón over power poles that had exploded, representing Puerto Rico’s blackouts and failing power grid. Deadly 2017 Hurricane Maria.
Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin perform
Despite such speculations, Cardi B – who featured Bad Bunny on his hit 2018 single I Like It – will be a guest star. Lady Gaga had a surprising turnout tonight.
Before dancing salsa with the headliner, she performed a reggaeton-inspired version of her duet with Bruno Mars, Die with a Smile.
Lady Gaga performing with Bad Bunny. Image: Imagen Images/Reuters
Cardi B still made a cameo as a dancer alongside celebrities Alix Earle, David Grutman, Karol G, Jessica Alba and Pedro Pascal.
Ricky Martin, the ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ singer and fellow Puerto Rican, also appeared singing from a plastic chair in a scene that graces the cover of the Debbie Tirar Mas Photos album.
She also paid tribute to Latin artists with a clip of the club classic track Gasolina in her song E.O.O.
NFL hosts largest wedding ceremony
A couple appeared on stage at a wedding ceremony, approximately five minutes prior to Bad Bunny’s performance and just before Lady Gaga’s appearance.
According to the rapper’s representative, it emerged after his performance that the marriage was real.
The unnamed husband and wife invited Benito to their wedding, but he said he should be part of their halftime show instead.
The artist also acted as a witness and signed their marriage certificate.
It is unclear whether some of the people in the background at their wedding were friends and family members or simply backup dancers for the performance.
A couple gets married on stage during the halftime show. Image: Imagen Images/Reuters
Trump: Halftime show ‘one of the worst shows ever’
Although it’s gotten pretty good reviews online so far, you won’t be surprised to hear that the US President didn’t care for Bad Bunny’s set.
Speaking on Truth Social during the third quarter of the Super Bowl, Mr Trump said the halftime show was “absolutely terrible, one of the worst ever!”
“It makes no sense,” he said, calling it “an insult to America’s greatness, and it does not represent our standards of success, creativity or excellence.”
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially to little kids who are watching from across America and around the world.”
Concluding his post, Mr Trump also complained that “the NFL should immediately change its ridiculous new kickoff rule”.
Seattle Seahawks win for the second time Super Bowl Their defensive style defeated the New England Patriots, leading them to a 29–13 victory.
