Bad Bunny Stuns the Super Bowl With Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and a Real Wedding Ceremony as Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba and More Party on Stage

Bad Bunny transformed his pledge to get "the world dancing" into reality with a spectacular Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show centered on themes of unity and cultural pride. Viewed by an audience exceeding 100 million, the career-spanning spectacle prominently featured special appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, serving as a grand introduction for many to the Puerto Rican global phenomenon. The elaborate stage design recreated a vibrant Latin American neighborhood, or *vecindad*, complete with a barbershop, liquor store, and a symbolic "casita"—a small house nodding to his roots, previously highlighted in a *Variety* cover story last June. This immersive set provided a rich visual narrative that extended beyond mere entertainment.

The performance was meticulously detailed, even including a live wedding ceremony on the field. Its ultimate focus, however, was a powerful message of inclusion. In a direct response to pre-show critics, Bad Bunny concluded by stating "God Bless America" and then proceeded to name every nation in the Americas. A massive digital billboard reinforced the sentiment with the phrase: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." This theme of Latino solidarity was visibly celebrated by figures like actress Jenna Ortega and actor Pedro Pascal, who were spotted dancing together inside the casita, embodying the communal spirit.

Musically, the show blended contemporary hits with classic anthems. Lady Gaga delivered a salsa-infused rendition of her 2024 duet "Die With a Smile," while Ricky Martin—the Puerto Rican superstar whose 1999 megahit "Living La Vida Loca" ignited the last major Latin pop crossover—joined for a surprise performance. Martin had recently penned an open letter commending Bad Bunny for achieving worldwide acclaim "without compromising your heritage." Another resonant moment saw a young boy, evoking the image of a child detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), handed Bad Bunny's Grammy award on stage, a clear nod to the artist's advocacy.

That advocacy had been a focal point in the days leading up to the game. At the Grammys, Bad Bunny used his platform to demand "ICE out," declaring "We are humans and we are Americans," a statement met with protests outside the stadium holding "Abolish ICE" signs. However, in pre-game remarks to Apple Music, the artist framed his halftime approach around universal joy, stating his goal was simply "a huge party" where connection was forged through dance. "They don't even have to learn Spanish," he remarked. "It's better if they learn to dance." This juxtaposition highlighted the multifaceted nature of his platform, blending protest with celebration.

The show etched its name in history as the first Super Bowl halftime performance conducted predominantly in Spanish. While Gloria Estefan performed in 1992 and Bad Bunny appeared as a guest in 2020, this headlining set represented an unprecedented milestone for Latin music on the global stage. Headliner Lady Gaga, a 2017 halftime performer, declined to give advice, telling *People* she had "endless admiration" and that Bad Bunny only needed to "be the beautiful person he already is." The resulting spectacle was a defiant, joyous affirmation of cultural identity, demonstrating that a message of love could resonate as powerfully as any stadium anthem.