Kate Neilson, the former fiancée of Australian rules football legend Wayne Carey, has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after criticising Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance for not being "American" enough. The actress, who became a US citizen in April last year, ignited controversy with her comments on Facebook this week.
Initial Criticism Sparks Immediate Backlash
Neilson initially posted: "Officially the worst Super Bowl halftime show ever! #BadBunny" on her social media page. When another user complained about the lack of subtitles during the broadcast, Neilson doubled down, responding: "Very un-American to not have some of it in their native language is what I meant." She added: "It's hard to understand what any of the lyrics meant unless you speak Spanish."
Geography Lesson Goes Viral
One user quickly corrected Neilson's understanding of American geography, pointing out that Puerto Rico – Bad Bunny's birthplace – remains a US territory whose residents are American citizens by birth. "It's actually very American. Puerto Rico is part of America, and its citizens are American," they responded, adding pointedly: "In fact Kate, those born there are more American than you as an immigrant."
The exchange sparked broader discussion about the performance's cultural and political significance within American society, with many defending Bad Bunny's all-Spanish show as an authentic celebration of Latino culture.
Attempted Backtracking Falls Flat
Following the public dressing down, Neilson attempted to clarify her position, claiming she was fully aware of America's geography and simply didn't enjoy the performance's artistic elements. "Sorry, I'm not saying Puerto Rico is not in America... I did not like the performance, the choreography or really much about it compared to other performers who have created AMAZING stage shows over the years!" she commented.
She added: "It shouldn't be political either. Some people liked it and a lot of people didn't... each to their own. I think Lady Gaga was my fav part." Notably, Lady Gaga performed her portion of the show in English.
The Performance That Started It All
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known globally as Bad Bunny, headlined Sunday's Super Bowl LX halftime show where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13. The Puerto Rican superstar was joined by an impressive lineup including Lady Gaga, Pedro Pascal, Ricky Martin, Jessica Alba, Karol G and Cardi B.
The elaborate production transformed the Levi's Stadium football field in California into a sugarcane plantation, complete with domino players, a Latino wedding scene, and utility poles for Bad Bunny to climb during his performance. Throughout the show, he carried a football inscribed with the words: "Together, we are America." A powerful message displayed on the big screen read: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love."
Political Reactions and Historical Context
While many fans celebrated the performance as a love letter to Latin and Hispanic culture, former President Donald Trump condemned it as "an affront to the Greatness of America" in a scathing review on Truth Social. "Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World," Trump wrote.
This isn't Neilson's first brush with controversy. The Australian-born actress is remembered for her involvement in Carey's infamous 2007 glassing incident, which resulted in both appearing at Melbourne Magistrate's Court in February 2009. Her latest comments have reignited public interest in her past while sparking important conversations about cultural representation, immigration, and what truly constitutes "American" entertainment on one of the nation's biggest stages.
