February 09, (THEWILL) — Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rican culture to the centre of America’s biggest sporting event on Sunday, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show in Santa Clara, California. The 31-year-old artist, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, opened in a white suit with a performance that included scenes depicting farmers, domino players, and boxers from the island.
Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance during the performance, singing a salsa rendition of “Die With A Smile” in a staged wedding scene. Ricky Martin also joined Bad Bunny on stage, whilst Daddy Yankee received a tribute during a medley honouring reggaeton’s history. The performance concluded with Bad Bunny holding the Puerto Rican flag and declaring “God bless America” whilst naming countries across the continent.
The halftime show followed last year’s Kendrick Lamar performance, which attracted more than 130 million viewers. Bad Bunny recently won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”, marking the first time the honour went to a Spanish-language album.
The show drew immediate criticism from President Donald Trump, who described it on social media as “absolutely terrible”. Bad Bunny had previously spoken out against the United States immigration policy, prompting backlash from Trump and other conservatives ahead of his selection for the halftime slot.
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in the final. Celebrities, including Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Cardi B, and Jessica Alba, were spotted in the crowd during the halftime entertainment.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
