LA Taqueria Steals Spotlight in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Spectacle
In a stunning and heartfelt moment during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX half-time show on 8 February 2026, a cherished Los Angeles taqueria, Villa's Tacos, made an unexpected primetime appearance, captivating audiences worldwide. The Grammy-award winning rapper's performance, which spanned 13 minutes, served as a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rican culture, featuring elaborate sets of sugarcane fields, lively house parties, and even a wedding ceremony with Lady Gaga performing a salsa version of her hit "Die With a Smile."
A Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It Cameo with Deep Cultural Roots
Amidst the grandeur, Villa's Tacos from Highland Park emerged as a subtle yet powerful symbol of immigrant entrepreneurship. Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, paused at various vendors, including a coco frio stand, a nail technician, and a piragua stand, before arriving at the Villa's Tacos stand. This brief inclusion highlighted the rapper's appreciation for local businesses and diverse communities.
Victor Villas, the owner of Villa's Tacos and a first-generation Mexican-American immigrant, expressed profound gratitude on Instagram. He thanked Bad Bunny for "hand selecting me and giving me an opportunity to represent my people, my culture, my family, and my business." Villas reflected on his humble beginnings, selling tacos from his grandmother's front yard eight years ago, and now operating three locations, including one in Los Angeles's historic Grand Central Market.
Celebrating Immigrant Contributions and Multiculturalism
In his social media posts, Villas underscored the significance of this moment against the backdrop of past immigration challenges, noting, "I couldn't have sold that first taco if my parents didn't make the difficult decision to leave their homeland for a better life and immigrate to the U.S." He dedicated the experience "for all the immigrants who paved the way before us to make this moment possible."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also praised the inclusion on Instagram, stating, "We are a city of immigrants. Seeing @villastacoslosangeles on the Super Bowl stage was a proud moment for our city." This sentiment echoed Bad Bunny's broader message during the show, where he exalted diversity and multiculturalism in the United States, shouting "God bless America" and listing countries and territories across the Americas.
The Path to Primetime: A Story of Fandom and Opportunity
According to Villas in an interview with a local ABC affiliate, the collaboration stemmed from Bad Bunny's genuine admiration for the restaurant. The rapper, a fan of their tacos, personally invited the business to join him for the Super Bowl performance. This organic connection added a layer of authenticity to the spectacle, blending celebrity influence with grassroots community support.
As red, white, and blue fireworks illuminated Levi's Stadium, a poignant message filled the screens: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." In a follow-up Instagram post, Villas reiterated his thanks to "dear friend Benito," writing in all capitals, "This one was for all the Mexicans. This one was for all the Latinos. This one was for all the immigrants. It's crazy where a taco can take you."
Bad Bunny's performance marked a historic milestone as the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl, further amplifying themes of unity and cultural pride. The inclusion of Villa's Tacos not only delighted loyal patrons but also served as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of immigrant stories in shaping American society.
