Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl’s 2026 halftime show pick, is said to make history as the first performer to perform primarily in a language other than English.

Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter. He has reached global popularity with his “Latin trap” music, which is often categorized as “Musica Urbana.” The Latin artist has received multiple Grammys and has become one of the world’s most-streamed artists.

Performers have featured songs in other languages in the past, but Bad Bunny’s upcoming Spanish set has become a major conversation starter, even sparking political debate. As the highly anticipated event approaches, some Ankeny students are excited, while others have mixed feelings. This mirrors the reaction to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 halftime show, which celebrated Latin culture through a bilingual performance.

“Why are people so upset? You know, like it’s just the fact that he speaks Spanish,” junior Paityn Tindrell said.

While some students view the language change as a non-issue, others say they can understand why the change is sparking debate, even if they disagree with the online backlash and threats aimed at the production.

“I think it’s cool for him because that’s his native language, but if he wants to get more views, he should do some in English just because the majority of people watching the Super Bowl speak English,” junior Mason Machan said.

While some students are concerned about the large-scale reaction the upcoming halftime show has produced, others view the performance as a significant milestone for representation.

“It makes me happy that there are people out there who are ballsy enough to do [stuff] like this,” Tindrell said. “I am a biracial woman living in a world that has become dangerous for certain people. It’s good to know not everyone is scared.”

Having a show fully in Spanish is a change that some see as refreshing. According to the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 41 million people in the United States speak Spanish at home alongside English.

“I will say it really makes me happy to see that this language is being seen since a lot of people in this country speak mostly Spanish,” junior Cristain Rodriguez Salgado said.

While the show has become a symbol of representation for many Latin and Hispanic viewers, others feel as if all groups should be represented.

“I don’t think there needs to be an emphasis on [one group]. I think, you know, everyone of any race, wherever they’re from, can be represented every day of the year,” Machan said.

Not only is Bad Bunny performing, but the National Football League (NFL) has chosen Green Day, a popular punk rock band, to open the Super Bowl. Green Day has been known to frequently incorporate political commentary into their performances, specifically criticizing President Donald Trump and the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. The band’s lyrics and public statements often target the movement’s push for conservative and nationalist platforms.

“It’s just a bad look to start an event that big that isn’t driven by political views with something political,” Machan said. “It’s a football game, no one really cares who you believe in or what you support.”

Others believe that the shock value and political statements are what the NFL is counting on for views.

“They want people to watch it because they’re going to be expecting some [political opposition] to happen. But I don’t really think that [the NFL] agrees with one side more than the other,” Rodriguez Salgado said.

While the 2020 halftime show performance included multicultural elements and featured songs in Spanish, some students believe that the NFL’s choice was motivated by audience engagement rather than making a political statement.

“To be honest, though, [Bad Bunny] is just another artist. He’s another person who makes music,” Tindrell said.

Safety concerns have followed the artist throughout his career. Following recent incidents of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployments in multiple cities in the U.S., Bad Bunny expressed hesitation about performing in the country. He explained how his team’s priority was the safety of himself and his fans, Bad Bunny stated in an interview with i-D magazine.

According to ICE’s website, ICE aims to “identify and apprehend removable aliens, detain these individuals and remove illegal aliens from the United States.”

Some, Hispanic students and community members have expressed concern and fears over ICE activity at large-scale events, such as malls or concerts. The halftime show pick has also faced criticism from high-ranking political figures. During an appearance on “The Benny Show,” hosted by conservative commentator Benny Johnson, the U.S Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, criticized the NFL’s choice. Noem stated the NFL “sucks” and “does not know what they believe.”

Additionally, President Donald Trump has publicly voiced his opposition to the performance, stating he believes that choice is “ridiculous” in an interview with “The Athletic,” as reported in “The New York Times.”

Even with all the controversy, many viewers are seemingly looking forward to the 2026 halftime show, while others are deciding to tune in to rival shows, like Turning Point USA’s “All American” halftime show highlighting “faith, family, and freedom.”