“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

By Hal Reed

There had been plenty of controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s selection to perform the halftime show at Super Bowl LX, prompting some calls for a more “pro-American” alternative.

Despite the debate, the performance became the most-watched halftime show since 2018. Bad Bunny delivered a set filled with cultural storytelling and symbolism, including rich, glimmering slices of life depicting Puerto Rican communities.

One standout moment saw him climbing electric poles, a nod to the power outages the island frequently faces, while other visuals referenced shared experiences across the Latino community. The show also featured appearances by Latino celebrities including Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G, Young Miko and Pedro Pascal. Lady Gaga joined for a salsa rendition of her hit “Die With a Smile,” closing with a lively salsa dance break.

Bad Bunny ended the performance by saying, “God bless America,” then naming every country in North, South, Central and Latin America, underscoring that “America” extends beyond the United States. As people carrying flags from across the Americas joined him onstage, a billboard behind them declared, “The
only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

All in all, the halftime show was a vibrant tribute to Latino culture and the broader Latin American diaspora, blending music, symbolism and spectacle in a performance that resonated well beyond the field.