Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Sparks Controversy Over Costume Choice

Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican singer whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is reportedly planning to wear a dress during his halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. A member of his style team described the outfit as “a political thunderbolt disguised as couture,” intended to honor Puerto Rican queer icons and challenge cultural norms on a prominent platform. The stylist emphasized Bad Bunny's penchant for controversy, stating, “He loves controversy. He lives to push envelopes.” However, the final costume has not been officially confirmed by Bad Bunny or the NFL.

Newsweek

As speculation about Bad Bunny's costume mounts, reactions have polarized online. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, have accused him of politicizing the Super Bowl. Right-leaning media personality Jon Root expressed disdain on X, suggesting that viewers should boycott the halftime show due to Bad Bunny's planned attire. His post garnered over 7,000 views. Similarly, Reverend Jordan Wells criticized the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny, claiming the event is being turned into a “pride parade” rather than focusing on football.

Newsweek

The backlash against Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance began even before the costume rumors surfaced. When the NFL announced him as the halftime show performer in September 2025, he faced criticism from some MAGA supporters, including former President Donald Trump, who labeled the choice “absolutely ridiculous.” Critics accused the NFL of making a politically charged decision, with some pledging to boycott the event. This criticism intensified following Bad Bunny's remarks about avoiding certain U.S. tour stops due to concerns over the treatment of Latinos and immigration policies under the Trump administration.

Newsweek

Despite the backlash, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell affirmed the decision to feature Bad Bunny, stating, “The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny. It’s carefully thought through.” He acknowledged that criticism is common when selecting high-profile artists and emphasized the importance of representing the NFL's diverse audience. Goodell described Bad Bunny as “one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world.”

Newsweek

While many sources report on the anticipated costume and the surrounding controversy, there is no official confirmation from Bad Bunny or the NFL regarding the specifics of the outfit. The speculation appears to be a strategic move to generate interest ahead of the Super Bowl, but the lack of clarity leaves room for ongoing debate.

Newsweek

• “He loves controversy. He lives to push envelopes,” — Anonymous Stylist

Newsweek

• “As if the Super Bowl halftime show couldn’t get any worse, Bad Bunny is planning on wearing a dress to ‘honor queers.’ If you weren’t planning already, you should boycott the halftime show. Shame on you @nflcommish for allowing this nonsense.” — Jon Root, Media Personality

Newsweek

• “The NFL went full woke—picked a guy who's turning the biggest football stage into a pride parade.” — Reverend Jordan Wells, Conservative Commentator

Newsweek

• “The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny. It’s carefully thought through. I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.” — Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

Newsweek

As the Super Bowl approaches, the discourse surrounding Bad Bunny's performance continues to evolve, reflecting broader cultural tensions and the intersection of sports and politics.

Newsweek