A Venezuelan American’s opinion on the Superbowl halftime show
The 2026 Super Bowl took place just over a week ago, and people are still divided about the halftime show. However, although the NFL probably invited Bad Bunny to promote a political agenda, I feel that Bad Bunny seized the moment for something more than that.
The majority of Americans were against it right away because Bad Bunny would not sing in English and did not represent American culture at all. I admit that it feels out of place for an artist from another culture to come and showcase that culture at an event that belongs to another culture. But can’t other cultures be part of American culture? And likewise, can’t American culture be part of other cultures?
Bad Bunny tried to represent Latin America with everything in the show. But I would say that his main purpose was to send a message.
Reggaeton is popular in Latin America, but at least for me, it doesn’t represent me; and salsa, although it does represent me as a Caribbean, leaves out the southern countries that don’t share the salsa feeling. It’s the elements of the show that represent us and unite us as Latin Americans.
If you know any Latin American immigrants, they may have told you how, when they were little, because their parents stayed up partying until three in the morning, they had to arrange two or three chairs and fall asleep in them. Bad Bunny included this.
A lesser-known feature is the plastic chair—with or without armrests—found at parties, conferences, First Communions; and in my case, I saw them whenever I went to pray the rosary with my grandmother and her friends.
These are things that, no matter how much we may be at odds with our neighboring country, we Latin Americans see and smile about together.
On the other hand, American culture is extremely famous throughout Latin America that we all once dreamed of a prom; we dreamed of not wearing uniforms in school and having our own lockers; and we even watched the halftime show of an unfamiliar sport because it was exciting to watch.
We have come to know and embrace your culture. And you have welcomed our culture throughout the country. The United States is the most diverse country in the world; in fact, I would say that diversity is what makes the country. Food, music and even the practices of Latin American countries have become key elements of this nation’s culture. So why would you want to distance yourself from that?
One thing I do disagree with is the obscenity in the event. Again, reggaeton does not represent me because its lyrics and dances promote lust and violence–temptations from which my faith abstains–and because the music is a mockery of art.
Honestly, I don’t think Bad Bunny was the ideal celebrity for this event. But I feel that despite the hatred he received, and that many immigrants received for this, he sent the right message in the end: love and unity in America, the continent.
He could have insulted this nation, but he didn’t: instead, he included it in his culture. Surprisingly, Lady Gaga appeared, an American singer singing in English but dancing salsa with Latin Americans around her. Both cultures merged.
In addition, the Latin culture that lives in the United States was also on display. Bad Bunny also invited Toñita, a Puerto Rican businesswoman who founded her Caribbean Social Club in New York years ago, and which, despite high offers of money to tear it down, is still standing today.
At this place, Latin Americans predominate, but Americans are welcome too. The fact is that Latin Americans are innately hospitable. Perhaps it is the predominance of Catholicism in our culture that makes us love our neighbors, no matter how different they may be.
Many times my parents, who don’t speak English, have helped Americans in danger. Many times Americans, when I didn’t know the language, made me feel welcome in a place that was not my home. You don’t have to speak the same language to communicate love.
And in this country, what is most needed now is love. I am proudly Latin American and American, because I love the culture of my home Venezuela and my home the United States. But I think it is more appropriate to say: I am proudly American, from the American continent.
The United States has always had tendencies toward isolation; and today that urge of being totally independent is greater. But paradoxically, in the past and present, it has involved itself in foreign affairs and has allowed foreigners to enter and build their culture.
It seems impossible, but little by little, particular elements are being created with which both Latin Americans and Americans identify. Maybe it’s a sport, maybe it’s salsa music. Whatever it is, I hope it makes us brothers and sisters.