Bad Bunny’s Journey to Super Bowl Halftime Show Spotlight

Bad Bunny is gearing up for his much-awaited Super Bowl halftime show with a blend of excitement and gratitude. During a press event hosted by Apple Music, he shared his feelings amidst a hectic schedule, stating, “To be honest, I don’t know how I’m feeling. There’s a lot. I’m still in the middle of my tour. I was just at the Grammys last week.” Despite the whirlwind, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, expressed enthusiasm, especially for his family, friends, and supporters who have believed in him throughout his career. “This moment, the culture — that’s what makes these shows special,” he conveyed.

As one of the world’s most-streamed artists, Bad Bunny recently made history by winning the album of the year at the 2026 Grammys for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” marking the first time an all Spanish-language album has clinched this top accolade. Humorously, he mentioned that fans need not know Spanish to enjoy his upcoming performance but should be ready to dance, echoing his playful “Saturday Night Live” monologue from the previous October.

“It’s going to be a huge party,” said Bad Bunny, hinting at the cultural richness his performance will feature, yet he refrained from revealing specific details. “What people can expect from me … I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t, I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”

With the Super Bowl stage in sight, Bad Bunny reflected on his journey, emphasizing that his path was not fueled by a pursuit of awards or major stages but by a deep connection to his roots and culture. “I wasn’t looking for album of the year. I wasn’t looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show,” he explained. “I was just trying to connect with my roots, connect with my people, connect with myself.” This genuine approach has ultimately allowed him to showcase a personal and cultural expression on one of the world’s grandest platforms.

Reiterating the importance of authenticity, he stated, “You always have to be proud of who you are and where you’re from. But don’t let that limit where you can go.” This marks his second Super Bowl appearance, following his 2020 performance alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Nonetheless, his primary focus remains on creativity and connecting with his audience. “My biggest pleasure is just to create, have fun doing it and connect with the people,” he noted.

When probed about surprise guests, Bad Bunny remained tight-lipped, saying, “That’s something I’m not going to tell you.” He highlighted the global audience set to watch his performance, including his friends, family, “the Latino community,” and fans worldwide. In a heartwarming exchange with student journalists, he acknowledged his mother’s unwavering support, saying, “Before everything, she believed in me as a person, as a human. She believed in me, in my decisions, in my opinions.”

The Super Bowl will unfold at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, featuring the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. The pregame show will present a talented lineup, with Charlie Puth performing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile singing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones delivering “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Fred Beam will interpret the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in American Sign Language, while Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.”

Celebrating the Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary, Green Day will take the stage pregame with their roots in the Bay Area, promising to “Get loud!” as expressed by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. Notably, the halftime event will showcase a historic multilingual signing program, including Puerto Rican Sign Language, featuring interpreter Celimar Rivera Cosme. These inclusive performances will be presented in partnership with LOVE SIGN’s Alexis Kashar and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.