Bad Bunny Headlines Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show Amid Cultural Backlash

Shakira has expressed strong support for Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, calling it "about time" for Spanish-language music to be featured prominently on such a major stage. She praised Bad Bunny for representing Latin culture and advancing the global acceptance of Spanish-language music, reflecting on her own experiences with resistance to Spanish songs in mainstream American music. Shakira highlighted the progress made since she performed in Spanish during the 2020 Super Bowl halftime alongside Jennifer Lopez, where Bad Bunny was a guest performer. Despite her enthusiasm, the NFL's choice has faced backlash from some conservative groups, including President Donald Trump and MAGA supporters, who criticized Bad Bunny's political views and Spanish-language music. In response, organizations like Turning Point USA have even planned counter-events and petitions to replace Bad Bunny with a country music artist. Nonetheless, Shakira and others in the Latin music community celebrate the milestone as a sign of growing inclusivity and cultural representation in American pop culture.