Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—aka global superstar Bad Bunny—is headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Not only will Benito make history as the first male Latin artist to headline the halftime show, but it will be his first time performing tracks from his record-breaking album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, in the States since his No Me Quiero Ir De Aqui Residency in Puerto Rico this summer.

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After Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking halftime show last year, the Puerto Rican artist seems to perfectly fit the bill, and his involvement in football’s biggest night makes a big statement…thought it has also inspired mixed reactions from NFL fans. (For instance: an adviser to the Department of Homeland Security reportedly signaled that ICE officials would be at Levi’s Stadium, and right-wing organization Turning Point USA is hosting its own halftime show during the game.)

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Amid the criticism, former halftime performers like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Bruno Mars have supported Bad Bunny ahead of his iconic show. Let’s break everything down before he takes the stage in February.

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How has Bad Bunny responded to criticism surrounding his Super Bowl halftime show?

Glad you asked. Benito seems generally unbothered by all the backlash, as he made a joke about it in his Saturday Night Live monologue on October 4. “You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show and I’m very happy,” he said, before giving Latinos their flowers in Spanish. “I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News.”

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Important to note that he has previously spoken out against ICE in his music video for “NUEVAYoL,” which was released on July 4. In it, a Trump impersonator says, “I made a mistake. I want to apologize to the immigrants in America. I’m in the United States. I know America is the whole continent. I want to say that this country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.”

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Which celebrities have shown support for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show?

Jennifer Lopez

As a halftime performer herself, J.Lo has been asked about Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance since she started promoting her movie, Kiss of a Spider Woman.

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During an interview with Gayle King for CBS Sunday Mornings, J.Lo said, “I think it’s wonderful people will get exposed to him who don’t know him. Just give it a chance! Music and art transcends languages, and he’s done that more than anybody.”

Shakira

Shakira, who also performed along J.Lo and Benito at the 2020 halftime show in Miami, gave her flowers to the artist.

“Welcome back to the Super Bowl stage!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories, adding, “Aquí va mi gente latina!!”

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Jay-Z

The NFL’s live music entertainment strategist praised Bad Bunny in a press release via Vibe, writing, “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

Eiza González

The actor commented on Benito’s announcement, writing, “Todo en español claro que siiiiii.” Translation: “All in Spanish, of course. Yesssss.”

Breaking News on Benito

Bruno Mars

Bruno—who took the stage twice in 2014 and 2016—gave the artist his congrats on social media, writing, “Go get em Bad Bunny!”

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Lebron James

On October 1, the superstar athlete gushed about attending Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico and shared his thoughts about his halftime show during an interview with the ESPN LA 710 AM show.

“I’m super happy for Bad Bunny that he’s able to represent the Super Bowl in San Francisco,” Lebron said. “That’s gonna be super dope and hopefully, I could be there, man, to support him. He’s a great friend of mine. So I think that was great to see.”

Diplo

The producer and DJ simply commented, “Can I get guestlist.” Saaame, Diplo. Same.

LaLa Anthony

Another simple comment from LaLa: “Benito Bowl🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷.”

Saweetie

The “Tap In” artist seems eager about his performance, writing, “yeeeeee !”

Gloria Estefan

The “Conga” hitmaker, who took the Super Bowl halftime stage in 1992 and 1999, gave Benito his flowers during an appearance on the Sherri show. “I’m so happy for him. I think it’s great. I think we need Latino representation at this particular moment,” she said.

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Gloria Estefan Gives Bad Bunny His Flowers

Jelly Roll

“From Wrestlemania to the Super Bowl- you inspire us all! Much love,” the “Wild Ones” singer commented under Bad Bunny’s announcement.

Xzibit

The rapper came to Benito’s defense amid the backlash, writing, “If we have come far enough to have Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl, we can absolutely listen to Bad Bunny shut the fuck up and listen to the music. Music is universal. Full stop.”