Benito, Bomba, Backlash
The Seattle Seahawks may have taken home the Lombardi, but for millions of Latino viewers, the real triumph happened at halftime.
When Bad Bunny emerged from the sugarcane covered football field at Levi’s Stadium, he didn’t just perform, he made history and brought everyone together with a mix of family, culture and love. Benito turned the most American sporting event into a global, Latin celebration, and yes, he did it all in Spanish.
The performance starts with Bad Bunny walking through the sugarcane, past the fieldworkers and past well known small Latino businesses. Then, he ends up on top of the pink casita with many bomba dancers taking center stage in the front yard. The porch was star studded with Latino artists and actors including Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, and others.
As we move on, we see a couple getting married and what’s represented as their families celebrating the occasion, and as the sea of familia parts, we see Lady Gaga as the “wedding singer.” This was a significant moment that symbolically represented a gesture of cultural solidarity. Of course, Madre Monstruo showed up to support by wearing a Puerto Rican flag inspired dress designed by Dominican-American designer Raul López. It came out after the show that the bride and groom were invited to the Super Bowl by Bad Bunny after he was invited to their real wedding. It’s a cute full circle moment.
The performance goes on to include more Latino-esque symbolism. There’s even one moment that stood out to everyone which is where young Benito is watching his older self recently win a Grammy, and then he passes it on to the little boy. This scene should teach everyone that dreams do come true and to always strive for greatness. Another surprise guest appeared shortly after, the talented Ricky Martin, sang a piece from Bad Bunny’s song “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.” I know my mom was excited to see him.
Finally, Benito ends the performance with a powerful message. He listed off dozens of nations to emphasize a unified America, all of the dancers holding all of the flags for each country and Benito holds a football to the camera that read “Together, we are America.” He throws the football and he and his ensemble start singing his song “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” as an important message is shown on the big screen: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Let us not forget the reaction that conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) had in response to Bad Bunny being announced as the Super Bowl halftime show. They created their own “All American Halftime Show” in response to the NFL being “woke anti-America.” Translation? They were uncomfortable with the idea of a Spanish speaking performer dominating the biggest sports event of the year.
The irony is not lost on anyone. Puerto Ricans are American citizens. As Benito said himself, “English is not my first language, but it’s okay, it’s not America’s first language either.” Yet, TPUSA’s reaction felt like a temper tantrum dressed up in red, white and blue.
For many of us, Benito’s performance was like a hug. It reminded us that even in scary times, we have family, culture and love to get us by. In this moment when enforcement policies make communities feel targeted, visibility becomes powerful. Not because everything will get solved by one performance, but because it reminds the next generation that they belong, their language belongs, their music belongs, they belong and that’s something worth protecting together.