Bad Bunny Addresses Super Bowl Halftime Show Backlash on SNL

Rapper Bad Bunny addressed the controversy surrounding his selection as the headliner for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show during his monologue on the 51st season premiere of "Saturday Night Live." The Puerto Rican artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, expressed excitement about the opportunity and playfully suggested that non-Spanish speakers have "four months to learn" the language before the performance.

"I'm really excited to be doing the Super Bowl," Bad Bunny stated. "I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy."

He delivered a message in Spanish, emphasizing the significance of the event for the Latino community in the United States. He highlighted the contributions and presence of Latinos in the country, asserting that their impact is indelible.

"Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors," he said in Spanish. "It's more than a win for myself, it's a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it."

Addressing critics who may not understand Spanish, he humorously added, "If you didn't understand what I just said. You have four months to learn."

The announcement of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl Halftime Show performer has elicited mixed reactions. Some commentators have questioned the decision, citing his previous concerns about performing in the U.S. due to potential immigration enforcement actions. In a past interview, Bad Bunny expressed apprehension about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence at his concerts, stating, "But there was the issue of—like, f–king ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about."

In response to the upcoming performance, Trump administration officials have indicated that ICE agents will be present at the Super Bowl. Corey Lewandowski, a Trump advisor, stated, "There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility, and deport you. Know that is a very real situation under this administration, which is contrary to how it used to be."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that NFL officials "won't be able to sleep at night because they don't know what they believe, and they're so weak, we'll fix it."

Bad Bunny previously appeared on "SNL" on October 21, 2023, serving as both host and musical guest, and returned for the season finale on May 17, 2025, as a musical guest.