The most-watched performance of all time just happened, and here is what people need to know about it. The Super Bowl halftime show has continued to set world records for most-watched musical performance, and for Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny set a new record with 135.4 million viewers tuning in.
The stage was designed to resemble the streets of Puerto Rico, featuring tall sugarcane reeds, a jewelry stand, a taco stand, and even a house. The performance included many celebrity appearances, including Cardi B and Pedro Pascal dancing, Lady Gaga performing her hit song “Die With a Smile” with a latin inspired remix, and Ricky Martin joining the stage as well. Adding to the spectacle, a real wedding took place on stage as Benito and Gaga performed.
Beyond the visuals and celebrity moments, this halftime show delivered strong political and cultural messages. The performance challenged traditional ideas of what it means to be an “American” and promoted unity across borders, from South America to Canada. Symbolic details were also sprinkled throughout the set, including a football labeled “Together we are America”, and a message written across the field that read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
With the world watching, Benito used the moment to spread a message of inclusion and solidarity. A message that many viewers felt was especially meaningful during the current cultural and political climate.
On a more local level, here are some students’ thoughts on the show:
Colin Savage, 11th grade, who actually attended the Superbowl said, “The production was cool, and the people behind me were vibing, but the rest of the stadium was actually quiet.”
Alejandra Prieto, a 12th grader, said, “I think it had a really powerful message and that it was wholesome without getting too political, and it represented the Latino culture perfectly from the clothes to the little details in the dances and the wedding.”
Bella Rojas, 12th grade, said, “Benito’s performance for me was incredibly put together, like it wasn’t just a show. It was an art of a story written. It represented so many of us Latinos! I know there were many people having ups and downs about having Bad Bunny as the halftime show, but you don’t need to know Spanish to enjoy the show. It’s about the feeling of his music that makes you wanna dance! For me, it was just so beautiful; it really touched my heart. I was very emotional about his performance. I just felt so seen by him as a Latina myself. But he didn’t just include Latinos, he included everyone in America, north, south, and central, by bringing out the flags at the end. During these tough times in America, we really need each other, and hopefully by his performance we can all come together and realize that.”
The reactions from students show why this halftime show stood out to so many viewers. Between its visuals, cultural references, and messages of unity, the performance sparked conversation both nationally and within local communities.
