Bad Bunny, three-time Grammy winner and top Latin artist on Billboard, amassed both love and criticism upon his announcement as the 2026 Super Bowl Headliner. The Puerto Rican musician’s songs stretch across several styles, but most of his music remains primarily in Spanish. Despite his chart credentials and prevalence, he faces significant backlash from some American audiences.
Junior Victoria Cruz is a long-time listener of Bad Bunny, and his song “NuevaYol” was her top song on Spotify Wrapped 2025. She listens to him not just for his music, but also for what he brings to the industry.
“As someone who grew up with limited representation in the media, I think that his halftime show is a huge door opener for Latinos,” Cruz said. “He’s not just performing his music; he’s displaying our culture with pride.”
Cruz finds that the Puerto Rican culture woven into his music resonates across generations. While his broad audience appeal is a savvy marketing move by the NFL, many people feel it carries political undertones.
Cruz believes that Bad Bunny’s previous choice to not perform in the U.S. due to ICE raids makes this performance more impactful.
“Performing on the biggest stage in the country is a statement of perseverance that’s really special,” Cruz said. “Lots of people have been saying that this is a terrible choice and it’s going to be the worst Super Bowl ever, but I think it’s going to break viewing records and kick start a wave of international interest.”
Sophomore Ellison Gonzalez loves both Bad Bunny and football. She listens to his music during the summer to bring liveliness to car rides and vacations. She suspects that Bad Bunny’s fervent vibe will bring a lot of energy to the game and rile up the crowd.
“His music is so fun to listen to,” Gonzalez said. “It reminds me of my grandparents’ lakehouse and spending time on my boat with my grandfather. He and I like Bad Bunny because he speaks Spanish and the music is modern: it’s something we can relate to each other about.”
Upper School Spanish teacher April Burns grew up around football due to her brothers’ and dad’s love of the game. Although she does not watch football as frequently now, she understands the importance of Bad Bunny headlining for the Super Bowl.
“I appreciate what he has done as a representative of Puerto Rico,” Burns said. “He has brought awareness to the island, and I like the fact that he has made other people interested in Spanish music, language and culture.”
Despite concerns that Bad Bunny’s performance may not be family friendly, Burns predicts otherwise.
“If you were to just listen to an album, [his music is] probably not family friendly,” Burns said. “Do I think that he is accomplished and talented enough to create a performance that also fits a family-friendly audience? I do. He’s awesome and really good at what he does.”
