Additional Coverage:
- Bad Bunny didn’t mention ICE at the Super Bowl. A different message was front and center. (businessinsider.com)
Bad Bunny Takes Center Stage at Super Bowl Halftime, Champions Diversity with Powerful Message
San Francisco, CA – Global superstar Bad Bunny utilized his highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday to deliver a poignant message about diversity and unity, captivating audiences without explicitly addressing the contentious issue of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Puerto Rican sensation’s set culminated in a visually striking display where his backup dancers paraded with flags representing all countries across North and South America. Following this powerful visual, Bad Bunny declared in English, “God Bless America,” and then proceeded to list each nation by name.
Throughout his performance, the stage was emblazoned with the impactful statement, “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.” He also prominently displayed a football inscribed with the words: “TOGETHER, WE ARE AMERICA.” His set concluded with his popular track “DtMF.”
Bad Bunny was not alone in delivering a memorable halftime show, joined by a constellation of stars including rapper Cardi B, fellow Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Ricky Martin, Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal, and Lady Gaga, who performed her hit “Die with a Smile.”
While Bad Bunny refrained from direct mention of ICE during the Super Bowl, his recent public statements have clearly indicated his stance on immigration issues. Last week at the Grammy Awards, upon accepting the Album of the Year award for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” he emphatically stated, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say: ICE out.” He dedicated his award to “all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.”
His Grammy remarks were echoed by other artists, with Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean also making immigration-related statements during their acceptance speeches.
These high-profile artistic expressions come amidst a backdrop of nationwide protests against immigration violence. On January 31st, widespread strikes against ICE occurred, with demonstrators taking to the streets to protest the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers.
In response to the escalating tensions, leaders from Minnesota’s largest corporations, including Target and Cargill, issued an open letter to government officials in January, calling for peace. Furthermore, employees from major tech companies such such as Google, Amazon, Apple, and Spotify have signed multiple petitions, urging their CEOs to advocate for the abolition of ICE and to divest from corporate contracts with the agency.