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Bad Bunny isn't letting critics dull his excitement about headlining the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. Hosting the Saturday Night Live season 51 premiere on October 4, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist used his opening monologue to address backlash surrounding the announcement.
"You might not know this, but I'm doing the Super Bowl halftime show and I'm very happy," he began. "I think everyone is happy about it — even Fox News." The comment led into a montage of edited Fox News clips humorously declaring, "Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president."
The Grammy winner went on to say that "people all around the world who love my music are also happy," before switching to Spanish to express pride in his heritage. "Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors," 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 be able to take that away or erase it."
Closing with a playful jab, he added, "If you didn't understand what I just said, you have four months to learn."
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was officially announced as the 2026 halftime performer on September 28. The show is set for February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
However, not everyone welcomed the news. Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick criticized the decision, writing, "No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America's highest rated television events." Political commentator Jack Posobiec also pointed to "Barack Obama's best friend Jay-Z" for the selection, referencing Roc Nation's production role.
Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny told Apple Music's Zane Lowe that fans won't be disappointed: "I'm always doing everything with purpose... I always represent and I always put my country, my music."
"And," he added, "I'm still hungry to conquer and to show what I can do."
