Bad Bunny transformed his Super Bowl halftime show into a vibrant celebration of Latino culture with tacos, weddings and cultural pride

9 February 2026

Julio Cortez / Credit: AP

When Bad Bunny took the stage for the Super Bowl LX halftime show in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026, the moment was historic not just for its music but for the way it wove culture, community and celebration into one of the world’s most watched live performances. The Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist became the first solo Latino to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a performance that was as much a tribute to his roots as it was a showcase of Latino identity on a global stage viewed by more than 128 million people. Throughout the show, he brought personal and cultural elements into a spectacle that included surprise appearances, real-life weddings and the unexpected but joyful inclusion of local food traditions that delighted fans and resonated with communities across the United States.

The show opened with Bad Bunny performing fan favorites and nods to Puerto Rican street life, but one of the sweetest, most talked-about moments occurred when he spotlighted a small Highland Park taqueria called Villa’s Tacos. Owner Victor Villa, who built his business from humble beginnings selling tacos out of his grandmother’s backyard in Los Angeles, found himself sharing the halftime spotlight with one of music’s biggest stars. Bad Bunny’s team invited Villa and his iconic taco cart to appear as part of the performance, turning what might have been a fleeting visual into a statement about culture, immigrant roots and everyday stories that often go unseen on such enormous stages. Villa’s presence was more than a cameo; it was an affirmation of the role of food, family and immigrant entrepreneurship in American life, and it sent waves of pride through social media and communities that saw themselves reflected in the moment.

Villa’s Tacos surged in popularity almost instantly after the broadcast, with customers lining up outside his Highland Park locations in the days after the Super Bowl, many saying they were inspired to try the tacos because they had seen them on television. Villa himself took to Instagram to express gratitude for the opportunity to represent his culture and pay homage to the immigrant experience that shaped his life and business. His presence on the Super Bowl stage was emblematic of a performance that blended festivity with cultural pride, bringing Latino voices and stories to one of the most mainstream public moments of the year.

The halftime show, produced by Apple Music and Roc Nation, stood out for its energy, emotion and symbolism. Bad Bunny performed with a cadre of guest artists, including Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, each bringing their own flair while highlighting a shared celebration of musical heritage and identity. Gaga delivered a salsa rendition of Die with a Smile, joining Bad Bunny in an unexpected fusion of styles that underscored the show’s theme of unity across cultures. Meanwhile, Martin’s presence evoked decades of Latin pop history, linking past and present generations of artists on the biggest stage in American sports entertainment.

Beyond the music and food came other unforgettable moments that blended performance with real life. A California couple who had sent a wedding invite to Bad Bunny on a whim found themselves at the center of a surprise live wedding during the show itself, turning their personal celebration into a moment shared with millions. The move blurred the line between spectacle and authenticity in a way that felt intimate and genuine, giving viewers around the world something deeply human amid the pyrotechnics and choreography.

Backlash and debate around the broadcast also underscored the cultural stakes of the performance. Some conservative commentators criticized the show for its largely Spanish set list and cultural references, with a few figures mistaking Puerto Rican symbols for other identities or questioning why an artist performing in Spanish was front and center on what many consider an American cultural institution. These moments of country-wide conversation spoke to the broader tensions in how American identity is defined, especially in a country where multicultural influences have grown increasingly central to music, food and art. In many ways, the pushback only amplified the show’s message: that America’s cultural identity is shaped by diversity and the stories of all its people.

But for most viewers and commentators, Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a triumph, a captivating blend of artistry and cultural affirmation that connected with audiences on multiple levels. Fans responded enthusiastically on social media, and the performance had measurable effects beyond the stadium streaming platforms reported spikes in Spanish-language music, and interest in Latino culture and language learning rose significantly in the days after the show. These ripple effects highlighted how a single performance on a sports stage could reverberate through popular culture and beyond.

In an era where representation and cultural exchange are increasingly central to global entertainment, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show stood out not only for its musical excellence but for the way it elevated everyday narratives alongside superstar spectacle. From hometown tacos to millions of viewers around the globe, the show reflected a rich tapestry of voices and traditions, celebrating not just a genre of music but a vision of unity rooted in shared experiences, food, family and pride.