Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Is More Powerful Than Hate
Despite everything, Benito chose love. Maybe we should too.
Bad Bunny’s appearance on the biggest and most-watched stage in America was, in itself, a loud political statement — especially against the backdrop of the chaos unleashed by the current U.S. government. Endless blind hatred and cynical attempts to score political points have left the MAGA movement spinning in place. Instead of sparks flying, they only managed to stain their shoes with mud — drowning in bile while attempting to livestream a laughable far-right parody of the Halftime Show. While all that was happening, Bad Bunny chose to be a triumph.
I should say this upfront: I was born and raised in an Eastern European cultural environment, so I’m very far removed from Latin culture (aside from growing up on Erreway and Muñeca Brava). My understanding of it comes mostly from observation rather than lived experience — I still haven’t had the chance to visit those incredible countries. But tonight, Bad Bunny invited everyone into his homeland, regardless of background or prior knowledge. Because that’s how it’s done where he’s from.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was a massive love letter to Puerto Rico in all its forms — its culture, its people, its places, its southern optimism. Add one of the most exciting musicians of our time with a catalog full of undeniable dancefloor hits, and you get a volatile mix capable of producing something truly great.
Together, we ran through the history of Puerto Rico: starting in the fields alongside hardworking laborers, sharing drinks and dancing in good company, strolling past elderly men playing dominoes in the evening, grabbing something delicious from a street vendor, attending a wedding, and heading straight back to the party. But the real gems were in the details — the guests at La Casita (Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, Young Miko, Alix Earle), a child asleep across chairs during the feast (funny how we share that “tradition”), a shot at Toñita’s — one of the last remaining Caribbean social clubs in Brooklyn — and the performance staged atop electrical poles, a pointed reference to the outdated infrastructure that continues to cause serious problems for Puerto Ricans due to government neglect.
As for the surprise guests — I’ll be completely honest: personally, I would’ve preferred none at all. But I also understand why they were there and the weight of the moment. Ricky Martin, arguably the most famous Puerto Rican (sorry, Bad Bunny — but my mom would recognize only him out of the two), appeared to pay tribute to his culture. It was brief, not particularly memorable, but respectful. Lady Gaga was a sentimental addition — if you know anything about Bad Bunny or Gaga, you know she’s one of Benito’s idols. The problem is that “Die With a Smile” simply didn’t work as a salsa reinterpretation, and Gaga overdid the belting, which ultimately hurt both the arrangement and the vocals. That said, the dance sequence was excellent — and did you notice her light blue dress? The color referenced the original 1895 design of the Puerto Rican flag, a symbol of independence and historical roots.
The parade of flags — and the reminder that America is made up of 35 countries, not just one — delivered a subtle yet powerful political message, clear to anyone who’s ever taken the time to think. You can play the macho, throw around loud words, threaten, lie, mock others, humiliate yourself and everyone around you — but the outcome is always the same. Without community and neighbors, you’re left alone, with nothing. Because community is the strongest thing we have as a developed human civilization. And Bad Bunny reminded us of that like no one else could.
The only thing more powerful than hate is love.
10/10
