Regardless of your opinions on American football–or sports in general–there is a chance you checked out this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Last year saw Kendrick Lamar in an iconic performance, complete with Samuel L. Jackson taking on the role of Uncle Sam during his medley. This year’s performer, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, has been surrounded by a buzz of celebration for Puerto Rico, with many hosting “Benito Bowls” celebrating the culture.
In a year rife with racism and xenophobic hate (never mind that Puerto Rico is a part of the United States), this performance is one that is especially important. As Bad Bunny took us on a journey through hits from throughout bis career, there were several Easter eggs to be spotted amongst the incredibly talented performers dancing around him.
Was that…? Did I…? Yes, you did
On a stage modeled after the one he had during his “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency in Puerto Rico at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, celebrities like Karol G, Cardi B Young, Jessica Alba, and Pedro Pascal were spotted dancing under the roof in a Puerto Rican vecindad, complete with a liquor store, a barber shop, and the casita where he would welcome celebrity guests during his residency.
Many watching the show were left slightly confused, as these celebrity sightings were brief with the cameras moving quickly around. However, it was almost immediately confirmed online that, yes, you did see who you thought that you did while watching the Halftime Show.
More prominently featured were superstars Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga, who sang. Also, apparently as Gaga sang a salsa-inspired version of “Die With a Smile” (Bruno Mars is forever locked up in Las Vegas, please help him), there was a wedding? I can’t express how obsessed I am with this entire show. It was gorgeous, and it looked like Bad Bunny got his wish for everybody to have fun whether they spoke Spanish or not.
Bad Bunny is not quiet about his fans’ safety opposing ICE
Last year, Bad Bunny made headlines after saying that he would skip the United States during his next tour to prevent ICE from targeting fans outside of his shows. Last Sunday at the Grammys, he spoke out again about ICE while accepting his awards.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said in English at the ceremony. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that’s more powerful than hate is love, so, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”
The Halftime Show also made history as the first mostly Spanish-language performance at the Super Bowl.
(Featured image: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
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