Alongside the endless stream of Christmas music and last-minute holiday shopping, December also sparks the conversation that unites football fans and non-fans alike: Who’s performing at the Super Bowl? This year, the NFL tapped Benito Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, the Puerto rican megastar who has dominated global charts, red carpets and conversations. Whether people are thrilled, confused, or furious, one thing is clear: everyone is talking.

“He should perform because he’s a good artist,” Anthony Nabarro (9) said. “People don’t think he should perform for his culture, his race and how he is. I understand, but it is what it is.”

Who is Bad Bunny really?

Before the debates, the think pieces and the Twitter wars, there was simply a young artist from Vega Baja who broke global streaming records before he even turned 30. Fans often describe him not just as a musician, but as a cultural force. That influence is exactly why many supporters believe he deserves the halftime spotlight.

“I was at a party, and I really liked the song ‘Titi Me Preguntó’,” Lucia Leyva (11) said. “Then I started listening to a bunch of Bad Bunny songs and realized, ‘I’ve been listening to this guy my whole life and didn’t even know his name.’ He made up my playlist — he changed it.”

The Super Bowl Spotlight, and the noise that comes with it

The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the biggest stages on earth. It is bigger than award shows, bigger than music festivals and bigger than almost anything a pop star can book. But with that spotlight comes predictable controversy. Some critics argue Bad Bunny’s music doesn’t “fit” the event, while others claim the NFL shouldn’t spotlight a Spanish-speaking or Latino artist at all.

“Some people might hate it because they think it’s ghetto music,” Leyva said. “It’s just a different type of energy. Other artists have performed similar songs, but they don’t label it as an inferior genre. They think it has more depth, but so do his songs. They just don’t see it the way we do.”

Others see the outrage as overblown. The Super Bowl is still meant to be entertaining. Having a diverse audience adds more to the mixture for others to enjoy.

“Personally I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Evelyn Meza-Chavez (12) said. Some people may not like him for his background … but the Super Bowl represents America overall. There’s a lot more to it than the same old music.”

Does Bad Bunny even care? (Spoiler: he does not)

While many people online debate whether he belongs on the halftime stage, Bad Bunny himself seems unbothered, almost amused. Fans noticed he jokes about the situation, leaning into memes and even letting brands have fun with it. His playful attitude seems to be part of what keeps fans invested. While others argue, he simply performs, jokes and moves on, staying true to the carefree persona that made him a star.

“I’m glad he’s not upset,” Meza-Chavez said. “I got a notification from Duolingo saying, ‘Bad Bunny says you have four months to learn Spanish.’ I thought it was pretty funny.”

Exciting Predictions: What Fans Want to See

For some, the appeal isn’t just the music — it’s seeing whether he uses the stage to make a statement. Bad Bunny is a very vocal artist who amplifies the stage with his presence.

“I’m interested in seeing his performance and if there’s an underlying message,” Meza-Chavez said.

Others are just excited to watch him bring his signature style to one of the world’s biggest stages. He’s sparked conversation, challenged expectations, and entered the Super Bowl spotlight with zero fear and zero apologies.

“My opinion? He should perform,” Nabarro said. “He’s popular. He’s been doing this since 2016 or 2018. He started young.”