The announcement that Grammy Award-winning musician Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show has ignited a firestorm of debate across the United States, with reactions ranging from excitement to outright opposition. As reported by KIRO Newsradio on October 19, 2025, the controversy reached a fever pitch after a petition to remove the Puerto Rican star from the coveted performance slot garnered more than 12,600 signatures. The petition, launched by NFL fan Angel Batista, calls for a different musical direction—and, for some, a different cultural focus—at one of the world’s most-watched live events.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is no stranger to the global stage. His meteoric rise as a Latin music superstar has made him a household name among millions, especially younger audiences and Spanish speakers. But as soon as the NFL announced his selection for the halftime show, critics began to mobilize. According to The Mirror US, the petition spearheaded by Batista quickly gained traction, reflecting a broader unease among certain segments of the fanbase.
“I started this petition because I care about what the Super Bowl halftime show represents,” Batista explained in an interview with The Mirror US. “It’s one of the biggest stages in the world, and the choices the NFL makes here send a message to millions of viewers. I want the focus to be on the music, the energy, and the balance of representation, not on me personally.”
Batista’s petition, titled 'Replace bad bunny in the superbowl halftime show,' has been met with a groundswell of support, surpassing 12,600 signatures as of late October. This surge, he said, was both surprising and encouraging: “Seeing over 9,000 people sign my petition was surprising and encouraging. It shows a lot of people feel the same way, that the halftime show should be memorable and accessible to as many fans as possible.”
At the heart of the debate lies the issue of language and cultural representation. Batista pointed out that many of Bad Bunny’s hit songs are performed in Spanish, which, he argues, could alienate a significant portion of the Super Bowl’s English-speaking audience. “The reason I started the petition is because Bad Bunny’s music is almost entirely in Spanish. I don’t have anything against that, but the Super Bowl halftime show is a worldwide event. It should reflect both English and Spanish audiences, not just one side.”
However, Bad Bunny’s supporters have pushed back, noting that the United States does not have an official language and that millions of NFL fans speak Spanish and enjoy his music. Batista himself acknowledged this, clarifying, “I don’t agree with people saying 'the U.S. has an official language.' It doesn’t. But since the majority here speak English, I think the show should blend both, not ignore either side. Diversity means inclusion, not exclusion.”
The debate has also drawn in prominent voices from the world of sports radio. On “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, host Gee Scott voiced his own reservations about the selection, echoing sentiments felt by some conservative listeners. “My daughter loves Bad Bunny, a lot of people do, but I am actually on the side of the Conservatives and whoever out there,” Scott said. He referenced previous halftime show performers—Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020, The Weeknd in 2021, Dr. Dre, Snoop, and Eminem in 2022, and Kendrick Lamar in 2024—suggesting that the NFL’s entertainment choices have not always resonated with every segment of the audience. “People are thinking, ‘Can we get something for us next time?’ Then you gave them Kendrick Lamar last year, and they pushed the limits. I’m not saying George Strait, but Jay Z, who makes the decision, can you give us something? Give some love.” Scott added, “You’re going to hit me with Kendrick Lamar last year, and I didn’t understand that. Then you hit me with Bad Bunny, I’m not going to understand that either.”
For Batista, the issue is not about politics, despite some right-wing critics going so far as to suggest Bad Bunny should be “deported.” He made it clear that his motivation was not aligned with such extreme rhetoric. “I saw what Trump said, and honestly, I’m not siding with him. I don’t think this is a political issue. It’s about balance and representation, not politics or party lines.”
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, telling Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it — it’s, like, crazy. They blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.” Batista, however, distanced himself from Trump’s remarks, reiterating his focus on representation rather than partisanship.
Rumors swirling about the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) patrolling the Super Bowl stadium have only added to the tension. Batista addressed these concerns head-on: “The idea of ICE patrolling the Super Bowl is crazy to me. Nobody should have to feel unsafe going to a football game. Sports are supposed to unite people, not divide them.”
When asked about alternatives for the halftime show, Batista suggested Metallica—a band with broad, cross-generational appeal—as his top pick. “If it were up to me, I’d love to see Metallica headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. They’re iconic, bring incredible energy, and put on a legendary live performance. That said, I wouldn’t mind a Latin artist having their own separate segment before Metallica — a short spotlight that adds variety without overshadowing the main act.” He concluded, “The Super Bowl halftime show should feel like an event people talk about for years. Metallica brings timeless energy and excitement, and pairing them with a brief Latin spotlight could make the whole experience both diverse and unforgettable.”
Comparisons to previous halftime shows have also surfaced, with some critics arguing that last year’s Kendrick Lamar performance had broader universal appeal. Batista noted, “I think Kendrick Lamar’s show had a lot more universal appeal. Even if you didn’t listen to rap, you could still connect with it. Bad Bunny might put on a great performance for his fans, but most viewers won’t understand or connect with it the same way.”
As the NFL faces mounting pressure from both sides of the debate, it finds itself at the intersection of culture, language, and entertainment. The question of who should headline the Super Bowl halftime show is now about more than just music—it’s a reflection of America’s ongoing conversation about identity and inclusion. With the 2026 Super Bowl still months away, it remains to be seen how the league will respond to the growing calls for change, and whether Bad Bunny’s performance will ultimately unite or further divide the sprawling Super Bowl audience.
For now, the stage is set for a halftime show that promises to be as talked about for its cultural significance as for its spectacle. The NFL’s decision, and the passionate reactions it has sparked, are a reminder that in today’s America, even a football game’s entertainment can become a flashpoint for the nation’s broader debates.
