Bad Bunnygot the final word after his historicSuper Bowl LX halftime show performance.
President Donald Trump, his administration and other critics denounced and politicized the 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist's highly anticipatedApple Music halftime show,but on Sunday, Feb. 8, Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — had nothing to prove. He let the music speak for itself.
Bad Bunny's halftime show performance, which featured a surprise appearance fromLady Gagaandother familiar faces,paid tribute to his Latino heritage, gave a lesson in Puerto Rico history and spotlighted radical joy and unity.
Fresh off a historic win at the Grammys, Bad Bunny headlines the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Feb. 8, 2026. See the photos." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired rendition of "Die with a Smile" at Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ricky Martin performs "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs during the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left: Pedro Pascal, Karol G and Cardi B perform onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs alongside Jessica Alba, Alix Earle and David Grutman during the Super Bowl halftime show. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny dances with a young girl onstage during "Baile Inolvidable." " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny holds his Grammy during Super Bowl halftime show. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A real-life couple got married during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance at the Super Bowl. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lady Gaga performs a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs with power line props to signify the issues Puerto Rico went through during multiple hurricanes. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Performers wave the flags of sovereign countries in the Americas at the conclusion of Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny's performance during Super Bowl LX Patriots vs Seahawks Apple Music Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Feb. 8, 2026. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny holds the Puerto Rican flag." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A message is displayed while Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny performs during the Super Bowl LX Patriots vs Seahawks Apple Music Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A couple marries during the Bad Bunny performance onstage at the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny with the trust fall at the Super Bowl halftime show. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Ricky Martin" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Lady Gaga performs with Bad Bunny" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Bad Bunny and Cardi B looking on. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bad Bunny's vibrant halftime show was unforgettable. See it up close
Fresh off a historic win at the Grammys,Bad Bunnyheadlines the Apple Music Super Bowl LXHalftime ShowFeb. 8, 2026. See the photos.
As Darlene Lopez, founder and managing director of Evoke Creative Agency,told USA TODAYahead of the Super Bowl halftime show, Bad Bunny proved that "music and art are political."
What you missed:All the Bad Bunny easter eggs at Super Bowl halftime show, explained
Bad Bunny says 'I never, ever stopped believing in myself'
As his orchestra performed the introduction to "Monaco," which is featured in his 2023 album "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana," a zoomed-in shot of Bad Bunny appeared on screen as he gave a speech about believing in yourself in Spanish.
Biggest moments you missed:Bad Bunny lifts Puerto Rico in Super Bowl halftime show with Ricky Martin, more stars
What he said in Spanish:
"Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60 es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí. Tú también deberías de creer en ti. Vales más de lo que piensas, créeme."
Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile" during his Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Puerto Rican singer and actor Ricky Martin performed in front of monobloc chairs like the one on Bad Bunny's "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" album cover, Martin sang a from "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," a song that compares Hawaii and Puerto Rico's colonization." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny brought the iconic pink "Casita" to the Super Bowl halftime stage and invited some famous friends including Karol G, Cardi B and Jessica Alba." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny brought the iconic pink "Casita" to the Super Bowl halftime stage and invited some famous friends including Young Miko and Pedro Pascal." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile" during his Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile" during his Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile" during his Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bad Bunny's vibrant halftime show was unforgettable. See it up close
Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform a salsa-inspired "Die with a Smile" during his Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.
What he said in English:
"My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I'm here today at Super Bowl 60, it's because I never, ever stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself. You're worth more than you think, trust me."
Review:Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show brings powerful message, celebrities to world stage
Bad Bunny says 'Together, we are America' — but what countries did he name?
"God Bless America," Bad Bunny said after his performance of "El Apagón" and "Café Con Ron" as he held a football that was emblazoned with the message: "Together, we are America."
"Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, República Dominicana, Jamaica, Haiti, Antilles, United States, Canada," he said. "And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico. Seguimos aqui (We're still here)."
Bad Bunny performs 'Yo Perreo Sola,' says 'dance without fear'
Aside from his messages of unity and urging people watching at home to never second-guess themselves, Bad Bunny also shared other asides in Spanish throughout the halftime show.
Before kicking off his rooftop performance of "Yo Perreo Sola," which translates to "I Dance Alone," Bad Bunny said in Spanish, "Las mujeres en el mundo entero, perreando sin miedo." It translated to: "To all of the women around the world, twerk (or dance) without fear."
The 2020 feminist anthem, off his pre-pandemic album "YHLQMDLG," is considered one of his most groundbreaking as it touches on themes of autonomy and makes a powerful statement against sexual harassment.
The song's lyrics, and themusic videowhere Bad Bunny made an even bigger statement dressed in drag, are about a woman who doesn't want to dance with someone, and the importance of respecting that decision.
Hence, his statement about dancing and enjoying yourself without fear.
Bad Bunny accepts the album of the year award for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" onstage during the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny poses with the album of the year, best música urbana album and best global music performance awards during the 68th Grammy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny performs onstage during the first show of his 30-date (which ended up being 31 in total) concert residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 11, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny thanked his fans for "letting me sing in my home in front of my friends, my family and my people" on what was the final night of his residency in September 2025. "Thank you for that," he said. "I love you, thank you for being a part of this."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
On top of his Puerto Rico residency, Bad Bunny was also juggling life as a Hollywood actor attending the premiere of "Caught Stealing" on Aug. 26, 2025, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny starred alongside Austin Butler in the movie. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Earlier in summer 2025, Bad Bunny was spotted at Netflix's "Happy Gilmore 2" premiere on July 21, 2025, in New York City, which he starred alongside Adam Sandler." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny at the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025. Bad Bunny gave a playful Puerto Rican twist to the Black dandy theme with a crisp espresso brown suit. He paired the custom-made Prada ensemble with a brimmed hat resembling a pava, a traditional straw hat made from leaves of the Puerto Rican hat palm." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In February 2025, Bad Bunny attended "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs during his Most Wanted Tour at the Kaseya Center in Miami on May 24, 2024. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny attends the Dior Homme Menswear spring/summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2024. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs at the Crypto.com Arena during his Most Wanted tour in Los Angeles, March 13, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cardi B, Chencho Corleone, Ivy Queen and reggaeton duo Jowell y Randy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
declaring Oct. 1 as the official Bad Bunny Day." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
two new wax figures at Orlando and New York's Madame Tussauds on April 19, 2022. The figure at Madame Tussauds New York is wearing the iconic all-silver look from the Grammy-winner's 2020 Super Bowl performance alongside Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and J Balvin, complete with the same silver jacket he wore. The wax figure in Orlando is wearing an outfit originally from his WWE Royal Rumble performance and is featured in his "Booker T" music video. For the figure, Bad Bunny donated his trenchcoat, vest, trousers, and pants." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny is set to portray the title role in "El Muerto," making history as Marvel's first Latino lead in a live-action film. He calls the film the "perfect role" for him.Before suiting up as the super-powered wrestler, the Puerto Rican rapper will make his big-screen acting debut in the neon-drenched "Bullet Train" (in theaters July 29), doing battle with Brad Pitt." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
April 2021 at WWE's WrestleMania 37. In this photo, taken Jan. 29, 2022, Bad Bunny jumped into the ring again during the Royal Rumble match at The Dome at America's Center." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
22nd Latin Grammy Awards. That night he took home the award for best rap/hip hop song for "Booker T" and best urban music album for "El Último Tour del Mundo."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny makes history at the Super Bowl. The Puerto Rican star's career in photos.
Bad Bunny accepts the album of the year award for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" onstage during the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles
'Love as much as possible,' says Bad Bunny
After Lady Gaga made a surprise cameo and performed a salsa rendition of "Die with a Smile," the two broke out in a dance, and Bad Bunny could be heard saying, "Mientras uno está vivo, uno debe amar lo más que pueda" as soon as the trumpets for "Baile Inolvidable" started playing.
In English, that translates to "As long as we're still alive, we should love as much as possible."
The line was a nod to Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, who,according to Remezcla, lends his voice to the audio of those same words used in Bad Bunny's track off his latest studio album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos."
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What did Bad Bunny say during the Super Bowl? See the translation
