Bad Bunny has made history by becoming the first Super Bowl halftime show headliner to perform entirely in Spanish – and to host a wedding during the performance.
Already a controversial pick to the main event, drawing criticism from Donald Trump, the rapper breezed through an eight-song set mostly made up of his latest album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos at the 60th edition of the NFL’s biggest event.
The US president, who attended last year’s event, was scathing about the halftime show, however, calling it “an affront to the Greatness of America”.
Mr Trump is facing a race row after a video was shared on his Truth Social account depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
The White House initially defended the post before removing it hours later – blaming a member of staff for “erroneously” sharing the video.
Donald Trump later said “of course” he condemned it, but did not apologise.
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Fresh off of winning album of the year at the Grammys, Bad Bunny – real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – performed on a heavily Puerto Rican-inspired stage set up at Levi’s Stadium in California.
While he made headlines at the Grammys by saying “ICE out”, Benito capped off his set with a more tame political statement.
Walking toward the camera, the rapper said “God Bless America,” and then named countries in the Americas – “Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil” as well as the US and Canada – in front of a sign reading “the only thing more powerful than hate is love”.
Benito also performed his 2022 track El Apagon on power poles that exploded, representing Puerto Rico’s blackouts and failing power grid, in reference to the deadly 2017 Hurricane Maria.
Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin perform
Despite speculation that Cardi B – who featured Bad Bunny on her hit 2018 single I Like It – would be a guest performer, Lady Gaga was tonight’s surprise appearance.
She performed a reggaeton-inspired version of her duet with Bruno Mars, Die With A Smile, before dancing salsa with the headliner.
Cardi B still made a cameo as a dancer, along with celebrities Alix Earle, David Grutman, Karol G, Jessica Alba and Pedro Pascal.
Ricky Martin, Livin’ La Vida Loca singer and fellow Puerto Rican, also made an appearance, singing from a plastic chair in a scene that mirrored the cover of the Debi Tirar Mas Fotos album.
He also paid homage to Latin artists with a clip of club classic track Gasolina leading into his song EoO.
NFL hosts biggest wedding reception
About five minutes into Bad Bunny’s performance, just before Lady Gaga’s appearance, a couple were seen on stage in a wedding ceremony.
It emerged after his performance that the marriage was real, according to the rapper’s representative.
The unnamed husband and wife had invited Benito to their wedding, but he said they should instead be part of his halftime show.
The artist also served as a witness and signed their marriage certificate.
It is unclear whether some of the people in the background of their wedding were friends and family members or just backup dancers from the performance.
Trump: Halftime show ‘one of the worst, EVER’
While it has so far seen rave reviews online, you might not be surprised to hear that the US president did not care for Bad Bunny’s set.
Taking to Truth Social during the third quarter of the Super Bowl, Mr Trump said that the halftime show was “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!”
“It makes no sense,” he added, calling it “an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World.”
Capping off his post, Mr Trump also complained that “the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule”.
The Seattle Seahawks won their second-ever Super Bowl, beating the New England Patriots with their defensive style, leading them to a 29-13 victory.
