Why Would The NFL Book A Pro-LGBT Spanish Performer For America's Biggest Game?
- C. Aigner Ellis
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The NFL just dropped a halftime bombshell: Bad Bunny is set to headline the next Super Bowl, making him the first solo Latino act to own the mid-game stage. The move is already sparking excitement, side-eyes, and deeper discussions—especially across communities of color navigating visibility and equity in the pop culture machine.
🎤 Benito Goes Big: More Than Just A Setlist
Bad Bunny’s rise to center stage isn’t just about reggaetón dominance—it’s about cultural shift. It’s about Puerto Rican visibility on a platform that’s historically skewed white, male, and mainstream. But don’t let the Spotify stats fool you: Benito’s presence is political.
Even within the Latino community, reactions have been mixed, shaped by past tensions with Black communities during movements like BLM. And yet, Jay-Z himself called Bad Bunny with the news—signaling this isn’t just a halftime booking; it’s a cultural alignment.
🇵🇷 En Español… For Real?
Rumor has it: the show might be entirely in Spanish. Some pearl-clutchers are already grumbling about language barriers. But let’s be real: music has always been bilingual at heart. The U.S. has always been multilingual in practice—especially when you remember Puerto Rico is America.
So whether or not you can translate the lyrics, the vibe will be loud and clear: this is a moment for us all.
🏳️🌈 Woke and Proud—Deal With It
Bad Bunny isn’t just a chart-topper; he’s a vocal ally for LGBTQ+ communities. He wears nail polish, rocks skirts, and doesn’t flinch at flack from the machismo crowd. His visibility challenges the NFL’s historically rigid image—and that’s exactly why it matters.
So when critics use “woke” as a slur, we hear “aware,” “inclusive,” and “alive.” That’s not a warning sign—it’s a celebration.
👀 What We’re Watching For
With ICE reportedly ramping up presence around major events like this, there’s justified concern among immigrant communities. Who else will join Bad Bunny on stage? Will it be a protest moment, a pride parade, a party—or all three?
Either way, with TikTok timelines and IG Reels ready to catch every moment, one thing’s for certain: this Super Bowl halftime show won’t just entertain. It’ll ignite culture, challenge norms, and—like Benito himself—refuse to be boxed in.