The announcement that global superstar Bad Bunny will headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show has ignited a storm of debate across social media and beyond — a clash of culture, pride, and prejudice that refuses to die down.
When the news broke on September 28, supporters hailed it as a long-overdue recognition of Latino excellence on the NFL’s biggest stage. But detractors, many of whom criticized the decision on political and cultural grounds, questioned whether a Spanish-speaking performer should front America’s most-watched event.
Now, Jay-Z, the rapper and music mogul whose company Roc Nation has produced the Super Bowl Halftime Show since 2019, is stepping into the conversation. Confronted by TMZTV cameras, Jay-Z defended the Puerto Rican hitmaker — whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — dismissing the backlash entirely.
“People love him,” Jay-Z said, before delivering a sharp five-word message to Bad Bunny’s critics: “Don’t let them fool you.”
While Jay-Z kept his Super Bowl predictions to himself, his brief but pointed defense carried weight — especially given Roc Nation’s role in bringing diversity to the halftime stage after years of criticism about the NFL’s cultural tone-deafness.
Bad Bunny, for his part, has embraced the firestorm with calm confidence. Hosting Saturday Night Live, he addressed the controversy head-on:
“I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s more than a win for myself — it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever erase.”
Then, looking directly into the camera, he added with a smirk:
“If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
Hollywood icons have also rallied behind him. Rita Moreno, the legendary Puerto Rican actress, laughed off the complaints: “So what? I’m Puerto Rican too. What a nuisance!” Shakira, who shared the halftime stage in 2020, noted how far Latin music has come since her performance. And Jennifer Lopez praised Bad Bunny for proving that “music and art transcend language.”
Still, not everyone is celebrating. Lara Trump recently volunteered to perform at a rival “patriotic halftime show” organized by Turning Point USA, a right-wing group founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Despite the noise, Bad Bunny’s influence continues to soar. Just this month, he was honored with the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.
As the countdown to the Super Bowl begins, one thing is certain — the halftime show will be more than just entertainment. It will be a cultural statement watched by millions, led by an artist unafraid to make history on his own terms.
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