Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican–inspired performance at Super Bowl LX didn’t just electrify fans at Levi’s Stadium — it earned praise from one of rock music’s most iconic voices.
John Mellencamp Speaks Out
On Sunday night, John Mellencamp took to X to commend the global superstar’s show.
“I don’t know what Bad Bunny is saying, but I do know he’s standing up for Puerto Rico, and I’m standing up for him,” the Grammy winner wrote. “His halftime show was great.”
Mellencamp’s endorsement is notable, given the heated political and cultural discussions surrounding the performance. While this appears to be his first public support for Bad Bunny, he previously joked about the artist’s name during a recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher.
“They thought my name changes were cornball,” Mellencamp said, referencing his own rebrand from John Cougar to John Cougar Mellencamp. “’Bad Bunny’ is kind of a corny name. I don’t have anything against the guy, but it is funny.”
Playful, not dismissive, Mellencamp’s Sunday post clarified where he ultimately stands.
A Historic Halftime Performance
Headlining the Apple Music Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny made history as the first artist to perform an entirely Spanish-language halftime show at the Super Bowl.
The set included hits like “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” “Safaera,” and “Monaco.” But the cultural imagery defined the night: the stage featured Puerto Rican heritage elements — jíbaros in traditional straw hats, a piragua stand, and a block-party–style casita filled with dancers and celebrity guests, including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G, and Young Miko.
Lady Gaga later surprised audiences with a salsa-infused rendition of her hit “Die with a Smile,” donning a blue gown adorned with the Puerto Rican national flower, the maga. Bad Bunny also paid homage to musical predecessors, briefly performing Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” and welcoming Ricky Martin for “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.”
A Message of Unity
As the show closed, stadium screens displayed:
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Moments later, Bad Bunny lifted a football inscribed with:
“Together, we are America.”
The imagery resonated as a call for unity amid ongoing political tensions surrounding immigration and cultural identity.
Mellencamp’s support underscores the broader reaction: for some viewers, the show transcended language, politics, and genre. Whether celebrated for its groundbreaking music or critiqued for its message, the halftime show achieved what few performances do — it sparked conversation far beyond the fi
