Lady Gaga Says ‘It Was My Absolute Honor’ to Be in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: ‘I Wouldn’t Miss it for the World’

Lady Gaga has expressed her gratitude to Bad Bunny for featuring her in his dynamic Super Bowl Halftime Show. The performance included a surprise salsa rendition of "Die With a Smile," her 2024 duet with Bruno Mars. Taking to Instagram, the pop icon—whose own iconic 2017 Halftime set remains a benchmark for the event—shared video of their on-stage dance and wrote, "It was my absolute honor to be a part of Benito’s halftime show." She thanked him for the invitation and the cast's warm welcome, emphatically adding, "I wouldn’t miss it for the world." The collaborative moment capped a segment that creatively incorporated a real wedding ceremony into its narrative.

The critically praised spectacle was a vibrant celebration of Latin culture, boasting an impressive roster of guest stars. Alongside Gaga, global superstar Ricky Martin made a notable appearance; he later posted on social media that he required "several hours to process the tsunami of emotions" from the experience. The stage was further filled by a diverse array of figures, including actors Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba, musicians Karol G and Cardi B, and influencer Alex Earle. Media outlet Variety lauded the production as a "joyous, elaborate, unapologetic, unity-themed performance," noting it successfully realized its ambitious vision.

This Super Bowl collaboration builds on a moment of professional camaraderie between the artists at the recent Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican reggaeton trailblazer, won the award for Best Música Urbana Album for "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana." His 2022 album, *Un Verano Sin Ti*, made history as the first primarily Spanish-language release to be nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year Grammy. Lady Gaga, nominated in the Pop Dance Recording category for "Die With a Smile," was visibly supportive during his win. She later told Entertainment Tonight, "I’m just so happy for him... He is a brilliant musician and human being," highlighting a mutual respect that transcends industry competition.

The Halftime Show's theme of unity echoed advocacy Bad Bunny has championed elsewhere. At the Grammys, he used his acceptance speech to deliver a poignant call for "ICE out," affirming the humanity and rightful place of immigrant communities in America. "The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love," he stated, a sentiment that clearly informed the inclusive spirit of his Super Bowl production. Cultural critic Dr. Elena Márquez notes, "Artists like Bad Bunny are strategically leveraging these massive platforms to blend celebration with social commentary, effectively expanding the cultural purpose of mainstream entertainment." This layered context positions the performance as a significant cultural statement, with Gaga's enthusiastic participation further amplifying its message of solidarity and artistic fellowship.