Point Loma Nazarene University students tuned in alongside an estimated 128.2 million viewers on Feb. 10 to watch Bad Bunny perform the Super Bowl LX halftime show, while others watched Turning Point USA’s “All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show,” which amassed over 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, recently became the first artist to win “Album of the Year” at the Grammy Awards with a Spanish-language album. Despite backlash surrounding the selection of a Spanish-speaking headliner, several PLNU students said they enjoyed the performance.
Alexa Alcantar, a third-year biology major, said she has listened to Bad Bunny since she was a junior in high school and thought the performance felt personal.
“I loved the representation,” Alcantar said. “It felt very accurate to the [Latin] culture that I know and love.”
The performance opened with “Titi Me Pregunto,” and featured an immersive set inspired by Bad Bunny’s home in Puerto Rico. Dancers dressed as foliage formed sugar cane fields, performers wore traditional pava straw hats, the stage included a Puerto Rican casita filled with notable people like Pedro Pascal, Karol G and Cardi B and a real wedding ceremony was featured onstage.
Alcantar said she recognized values and traditions familiar to her Mexican upbringing, highlighting a moment when a young child slept across a row of chairs.
“There were a lot of the same fundamental things,” Alcantar said. “The message was more deep on a personal level; culturally, there is something so beautiful about Hispanic culture being integrated into the culture of the United States. I think we can all relate in some way.”
Sarah Shaw, a third-year psychology major, said she watched TPUSA’s alternative halftime show.
“I like TPUSA,” Shaw said. “[Their show] was a lot of country artists, which I thought was cool, and it was very America-first. It was a very patriotic show, which I enjoyed.”
Shaw said she thought TPUSA’s halftime show was a good alternative for families, as Bad Bunny’s show was sexually suggestive.
“America is very divided right now, so I think it was really good to just have a show that’s just a love for America, which I think both sides could agree on that – [TPUSA] has a love for America,” Shaw said.
Luke Cole, a third-year Christian studies major, watched Bad Bunny’s halftime show despite never listening to his music before.
“I thought it was pretty entertaining and a well-produced show,” Cole said in an email interview. “Even if I thought that not every moment was amazing, overall I thought it was a well put together performance.”
Cole said the overall message he took from the show was a reminder of Puerto Rico’s political and cultural position within the United States.
“The performance seemed to highlight Puerto Rican culture and identity in a way that reminded viewers that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and its people are American citizens,” Cole said. “Even though the island doesn’t always get equal attention or representation. Even if you don’t like the music, I think this was an amazing reminder that all people need to take into consideration.”
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love” appeared on the screen behind Bad Bunny while he ended the show with his “DtMf,” short for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” This song, the namesake of the Grammy-winning album, reflects on family, memories and an appreciation for his loved ones.
Alcantar said that this was her favorite part of the performance.
“To me, that was such a beautiful moment to have him sing that song, but in a joyful and proud way,” she said.
