Pop icon Lady Gaga has publicly thanked rapper Bad Bunny for featuring her in what she described as a "powerful, important, and meaningful performance" during the Super Bowl halftime show. The 39-year-old singer made a surprise appearance during the highly anticipated spectacle, joining the 31-year-old Puerto Rican star for a salsa-infused rendition of her hit single "Die With A Smile."
Record-Breaking Viewership and Stunning Visuals
The collaborative performance was witnessed by over 135 million viewers globally, making it the most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history. The moment unfolded dramatically as background dancers parted to reveal Gaga standing before a live band, wearing a baby blue dress adorned with a red hibiscus flower—a deliberate homage to Bad Bunny's native Puerto Rico.
Heartfelt Social Media Tribute
Following the show, Gaga—who previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2017—took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message directed at Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Ocasio. She wrote, "Thank you Benito for including me in this powerful, important, and meaningful performance. I am so humbled to be a part of this moment."
Gaga continued, emphasizing the special nature of the collaboration, "It’s all the more special because it was with you and your beautiful heart and music." She also extended gratitude to her styling team for bringing her elegant dress to life and shared backstage photos featuring herself with Bad Bunny and fellow performer Ricky Martin.
Bad Bunny's Culturally Rich Performance
The halftime show, held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California—where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29–13—began with Bad Bunny's Spanish-language track "Tití Me Preguntó." He performed while walking through a constructed sugar cane field, dressed in white attire and carrying a football.
His set included songs like "Yo Perreo Sola," "Safaera," and "Monaco," transitioning through vibrant scenes depicting fruit vendors, gaming tables, and beauty salons. The performance featured celebrity appearances from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, and Jessica Alba, and concluded with tracks such as "El Apagón" and "DeBÍ TIRAR MáS FOTOS."
Political Backlash and Cultural Celebration
Despite its record viewership, the show faced sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who labeled it "one of the worst ever" and a "slap in the face" to America. Trump criticized the predominantly Spanish-language performance, suggesting it lacked inspiration and was inappropriate for young audiences.
In contrast, fans praised the show as a love letter to Latin and Hispanic culture. Bad Bunny reinforced this sentiment by waving the Puerto Rican flag and shouting "God bless America!" while listing Latin American countries, the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. An electronic billboard behind him displayed the message, "The only thing more powerful than hate is love."
Alternative Viewing and Ongoing Controversy
Trump's comments fueled further division, with some of his supporters reportedly switching to alternative streams like Turning Point USA's "All-American" show, which peaked at over 5 million viewers. Trump had previously expressed disapproval of Bad Bunny's selection, stating the performance "sow[s] hatred."
The halftime show ended with Bad Bunny slamming the football to the ground amid fireworks and colored smoke, capping off a performance that blended music, culture, and political discourse, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
