The NFL and Apple Music confirmed that Bad Bunny will be in charge of the halftime show at Super Bowl LVIX, to be held in February 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The news has generated a wave of enthusiasm worldwide, especially among the Latino community, which celebrates the unstoppable rise of the Puerto Rican artist on the most prestigious stages on the planet.
The singer of Tití me preguntó, Ojitos lindos and Where She Goes will become the first Latino male solo artist to headline the main show of the most watched sporting event of the year. His participation represents a new recognition of the global influence of urban music and the impact of Latin culture in the entertainment industry.
Over the last decade, Bad Bunny has transformed the international music scene with a style that combines reggaeton, trap and Caribbean rhythms, taking Spanish to the top of the global charts. His selection by the NFL confirms what millions of fans already knew: the Latin phenomenon has gone from being a trend to consolidate itself as part of the cultural center of contemporary music.
Although Bad Bunny will be the first Latino male to star in the show, this is not the first time the Super Bowl has paid tribute to Hispanic talent. In 2020, artists Shakira and Jennifer Lopez starred in a historic show at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, where they fused Latin rhythms, pop and dance in a performance that was watched by more than 100 million viewers worldwide.
That year, the show not only stood out for its stage showmanship, but also for its message of cultural pride. Both performers paid tribute to their roots – Colombian and Puerto Rican – and incorporated nods to the Latino community, immigration and female empowerment. The final number, with Shakira playing drums and Lopez accompanied by her daughter Emme, became a symbol of empowerment and unity.
Jennifer Lopez clarifies her position on the shared show
However, in the documentary “Halftime” (Netflix, 2022), Jennifer Lopez surprised the audience by describing the double performance with Shakira as “the worst idea in the world”. Her words generated controversy and speculation about a possible rivalry between the two artists.
Three years later, the singer and actress clarified her statements during an interview on The Howard Stern Show, explaining that her criticism was not directed at Shakira, but at the fact that the NFL decided to assign the same space to two Latina artists instead of offering them separate performances.
“For me it was always a dream to do the Super Bowl, like my idols Madonna, Diana Ross or Prince. When they told me it would be with Shakira or Gloria Estefan I thought, ‘You think a single Latin artist can’t do it alone?’ That was the problem,” Lopez explained, noting that Estefan ultimately declined the invitation.
With the passage of time, Jennifer Lopez assures that her perception has changed. The artist recognizes that sharing the stage with Shakira was a powerful and unrepeatable experience.
“It was absolutely perfect and I’m so proud of that Super Bowl,” she said. “We represented something important: two women, mothers, Latinas, standing up for hard work. There was a lot going on in the world and we were able to bring light.”
The show, widely praised by critics, was nominated for several awards and established itself as one of the best halftime shows in recent history.
With the announcement of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl, the string of Latino representation at America’s biggest sporting event expands. From Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020 to Latin pop queen Rihanna in 2023 and now the global phenomenon of trap, the NFL reinforces its commitment to cultural diversity and recognition of Spanish-language music.
For millions of fans, Bad Bunny’s show will not just be a performance, but a celebration of Latino language, identity and heritage that now dominates the entertainment world.
Here you can watch Jennifer Lopez’s interview about the Super Bowl and Shakira.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
