by Rosa Parra

It was recently announced that next year’s Super Bowl halftime show will be headlined by none other than Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio). This is a historic event because he will become the first Latino to solo headline the show; although he did have a brief appearance in the Shakira and J.Lo performance, this marks a significant milestone. However, the announcement has also sparked some backlash and controversy. I would like to share my thoughts on the announcement and my response to the criticism.

For those who need a refresher, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that is a U.S. territory. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are American citizens. Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican, which makes him a U.S. citizen as well. He has built his career singing exclusively in Spanish and takes great pride in staying true to his cultural roots. It’s important to note that Bad Bunny is bigger than the NFL. While the NFL is primarily relevant in the United States, Bad Bunny is an international phenomenon, currently touring Latin America and Europe to great acclaim. I find it rather narrow-minded to think of what’s “American” as a pale-skinned, blue-eyed, English-speaking person. Many of us don’t check off those boxes, and yet we are still American. When 41 million people in the United States speak Spanish, it is likely that we will consume music in the same language. A little side note, Spanish is the second most spoken language worldwide, after Mandarin. So, having a worldwide successful artist like Bad Bunny headline the halftime show makes complete sense. 

Now, let’s address the controversy surrounding his decision to perform at the halftime show. Many people quickly label him a hypocrite for refusing to do any concert dates in the U.S. due to the current ICE situation across the country. However, there is a significant difference between performing at a televised halftime show, which millions can enjoy from the comfort of their own living rooms, and attending a concert in person. Benito made a clever choice to use the largest platform to entertain millions without putting his audience at risk of possible detention and deportation.

Benito has always been outspoken about political issues, and recently, he has been vocal about the ongoing gentrification in Puerto Rico. His latest album reflects a contemplative time in his life, and the songs strongly indicate this perspective.

Since the announcement was made, several of Bad Bunny’s songs have climbed back into the top 10 on the Spotify charts. A clip of Bad Bunny sitting atop a football goal post on a beach has achieved record views. To quote a popular political commentator, “facts don’t care about your feelings,” and the facts are evident: Bad Bunny is a bigger star than the NFL as a sport. His songs continue to break into the top 10 lists long after their initial release, and videos related to his halftime show announcement are reaching record-breaking views. Bad Bunny is a worldwide phenomenon, and given the challenges Latinos are facing in the United States, I expect him to deliver a message of support for the Latino community. He has the right to remind those in power of the resilience of this community. After all, it’s his First Amendment right to express his views.

On a personal note, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see a musician perform Spanish music at the Super Bowl halftime show. This language has been spoken in this country long before it became the United States of America. One thing you can always count on is that Latinos take pride in their culture and heritage. As a Latino community, we consistently support one another. As a Mexican American, I am particularly excited to see a Puerto Rican artist take the stage. I’m eager to witness this historic event and enjoy the performance!