Shakira Stands Up for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance
Shakira will certainly be cheering for Bad Bunny when Super Bowl LX rolls around.
Just weeks after the announcement that the “Moscow Mule” artist would be headlining the Apple Music halftime show, Shakira, 48, expressed her enthusiasm for the NFL’s choice.
“It’s about time!” she shared with Variety in an interview released on Tuesday, October 21. “I remember when we did ours that even incorporating some of our set in Spanish was seen as a daring step. … The acceptance of Spanish-language music in the mainstream has evolved so much since I started. I hope my music’s journey, which faced resistance and confusion from English-speaking audiences, paved the way for where we are today.”
When Shakira shared the Super Bowl stage with Jennifer Lopez in 2020, she performed some of her iconic tracks, including “She Wolf” and “Whenever, Whenever.”
However, when Bad Bunny, 31, joined her, they performed songs in Spanish, including “Chantaje.”
“I’m incredibly proud that Bad Bunny, who embodies not only Latin culture but also the significance of Spanish-language music on a global scale, is getting the chance to perform on such a massive platform,” Shakira added. “This is the ideal time for a performance like this. I can’t wait to witness it.”
Yet, not everyone is pleased with the NFL’s choice to feature Bad Bunny for the halftime performance scheduled for February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
A petition has surfaced on Change.org calling for the replacement of the Puerto Rican sensation with country artist George Strait. Over 58,000 signatures were collected by press time.
Danica Patrick and former President Donald Trump have also voiced their concerns regarding Bad Bunny’s halftime role.
Bad Bunny himself previously addressed his critics while hosting Saturday Night Live.
“I’m really excited to be performing at the Super Bowl and I know my fans worldwide are thrilled too,” he said to viewers on October 4.
After briefly speaking in Spanish, Bad Bunny joked: “If you didn’t catch what I just said, you have four months to learn!”
Ultimately, he enjoys the backing of many fellow artists, including Lopez, 56.
“I believe he’s about to amaze everyone,” the “On the Floor” singer exclaimed during an October 6 interview on Today. “For some, it’s an introduction. … I’m incredibly eager for people to witness his talent. I think they’ll be pleasantly amazed because his music is beyond language. He has accomplished something unique.”
When questioned about the backlash concerning Bad Bunny’s booking, Lopez asserted that she was unaware of the situation until NBC News’ Craig Melvin mentioned it.
“I genuinely don’t know,” she responded. “Why? But why? I just don’t get it. He’s currently one of the leading artists in the world, probably the top.”
