Bad Bunny delivered a headline-grabbing performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show last Sunday, stepping onto one of the world’s biggest stages and making it his own. The Puerto Rican global superstar didn’t just bring the energy-he brought the numbers, too.
With an average of 128.2 million viewers tuning in, his performance now ranks as the fourth most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history. Only Kendrick Lamar (133.5 million in 2025), Michael Jackson (133.4 million in 1993), and Usher (129.3 million in 2024) have drawn larger audiences.
But as with many cultural flashpoints in today’s sports and entertainment landscape, the performance didn’t come without controversy. Bad Bunny’s selection sparked backlash in certain circles, prompting Turning Point USA to organize an alternate halftime show featuring Kid Rock.
Meanwhile, Missouri Rep. Mark Alford publicly called for an investigation into the content of the halftime performance.
That investigation, however, appears to have hit a dead end. According to reports, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found no violations after reviewing the halftime show. The songs performed-Tití Me Preguntó, Monaco, and Safaera-were reportedly edited to remove any explicit content that could have run afoul of FCC regulations regarding profanity and obscenity during primetime hours.
A source familiar with the matter noted that the lyrics had been “scrubbed” of references to sex acts and genitalia, which are typically present in the uncensored versions of the songs. Without those elements, the FCC found no grounds to pursue further action. Unless new evidence surfaces, the agency is shelving any additional scrutiny.
The fan response? A mix of humor, support, and a few jabs at the political firestorm surrounding the show.
One fan sarcastically quipped that even Bad Bunny’s grandmother might be grounds for an investigation. Another pointed out the irony of complaints about not understanding the lyrics, followed by outrage over their supposed content-raising the question of who translated the lyrics in the first place.
“Hopefully they were charged big bucks for the translation,” one fan joked.
Others took a broader view, defending the performance as a matter of personal choice. “The beauty of America… if you don’t like it, don’t watch.
Your TV has an off button,” one fan wrote. Another took aim at the political response: “The congressman who called for an investigation should be investigated.”
In the end, Bad Bunny’s halftime show became more than just a musical performance-it was a cultural moment, one that sparked national conversation and highlighted the ongoing intersection of sports, music, and politics on the biggest stage in American entertainment.
As the dust settles, attention is already turning to next year’s show. With Super Bowl 61 on the horizon, two world-famous artists are emerging as early frontrunners to take the halftime spotlight. If recent years are any indication, the NFL isn’t just putting on a football game-it’s curating one of the most-watched cultural events on the planet.