Super Bowl 2026 halftime: Gaga, Bad Bunny & Ricky Martin, real wedding and political statements
Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny at Super Bowl 2026 (photo: Getty Images)
The traditional Super Bowl halftime show delivered plenty of talking points. This year’s headliner was Bad Bunny, whose performance became more than just a musical spectacle; it turned into a major cultural event, complete with an unexpected wedding moment.
Other stars also appeared during the show, and the performance quickly went viral on social media due to its symbolism and hidden meanings, RBC-Ukraine reports.
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Cameos and Latin vibes
A host of celebrities joined the stage during halftime. Alongside Bad Bunny were Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba also appeared in the number, visible behind the performers.
Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl (screenshot)
Lady Gaga performed a salsa to her hit "Die With a Smile," which recently topped the charts.
Lady Gaga (screenshot)
Ricky Martin joined Bad Bunny on stage at the Super Bowl and performed “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii''.
Ricky Martin (screenshot)
A real wedding during the Halftime Show
The biggest surprise of the show was a wedding moment. A couple participating in the performance actually got married live on stage, which was later confirmed by sources at ESPN.
Super Bowl moment (screenshot)
According to the publication, the couple originally invited Bad Bunny to perform at their wedding. In response, the singer suggested they get married right at the stadium, in front of tens of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers worldwide.
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Political and cultural undertones at the Super Bowl
Bad Bunny’s halftime show went far beyond a simple hit-packed set. It became a clear cultural and political statement, dedicated to Puerto Rico and the identity of Latin Americans in the US.
“Ocasio 64” T-shirt
Bad Bunny took the stage wearing a white Zara T-shirt with the name “Ocasio” — his real surname — and the number 64. The number sparked discussions online, with users linking it to Hurricane Maria, historical events, and personal meanings for the artist, though no official explanation was given.
“Together we are America”
Near the end, Bad Bunny switched to English and said, “God bless America,” then began listing countries in North and South America. Dancers carrying the corresponding flags followed him, and the final touch was a football with the inscription “Together we are America,” which he threw onto the field.
Lights, electricity, and “El Apagón”
During the performance of “El Apagón,” power line structures appeared on stage, sparking and exploding. This part directly referenced Puerto Rico’s electricity problems. Dancers wore traditional jíbaro farmer outfits, highlighting the social message of the performance.
Puerto Rico on the stadium stage
The stage was decorated with green designs inspired by Vega Baja, where Bad Bunny grew up. Due to NFL restrictions, the production team dressed some performers in plant costumes instead of using real greenery to maintain the visual effect. The show also included symbols of Puerto Rican culture — a piragua kiosk, sugarcane fields, and traditional casitas.
Final message
At the end of the show, the stadium screens displayed the message: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” The phrase echoed Bad Bunny’s speech at the Grammys, where he publicly spoke against ICE, declaring: “We are humans, and we are Americans.”
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Sources: Material for this article was based on ESPN and Business Insider coverage of the Super Bowl, and the YouTube broadcast of the show.
