The announcement surfaced quietly, then the reaction hit fast.
The NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, and former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick quickly turned the news into a cultural flashpoint.
In late September 2025, shortly after the halftime show announcement, Patrick shared her reaction on X. In her post, she argued that performers without songs in English should not appear at one of America’s most-watched television events, describing the Super Bowl as “one of the highest-rated TV broadcasts of the year, not just for sports.”
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The comment immediately drew widespread attention. Fans, media voices, and cultural commentators challenged the idea that English-language music should be a requirement. Others supported Patrick, saying the halftime show should prioritize accessibility for a primarily U.S. television audience.
Bad Bunny did not respond publicly.
“No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year… not just for sports…
Why Bad Bunny was selected
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martnez Ocasio, is one of the most commercially dominant artists of the modern era. According to Spotify data, he has ranked as the platform’s most-streamed artist worldwide multiple times, largely through Spanish-language music in reggaeton and Latin trap. Songs like “Tit Me Pregunt” and “Moscow Mule” have topped global charts despite minimal English lyrics.
From the league’s standpoint, the decision reflects strategy rather than surprise. The NFL has repeatedly framed the halftime show as a global entertainment property, not just a domestic showcase, especially as international viewership and digital engagement continue to grow.
How this compares to recent halftime shows
Language is not new to this conversation. The Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show in 2020, led by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, blended Spanish and English and became one of the most-watched halftime performances on record. Coverage from outlets such as Billboard and The New York Times described it as a turning point for Latin representation on the Super Bowl stage.
Since then, the NFL has steadily shifted away from legacy acts toward artists dominating current streaming and cultural trends, signaling a clear change from earlier decades when halftime shows leaned heavily on nostalgia.
Reactions and broader impact
Patrick’s comments resonated beyond motorsports. Sports analysts and culture writers highlighted the contrast between the NFL’s global ambitions and Patrick’s language-focused criticism. Others pointed out that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, making Bad Bunny an American citizen, even though his music remains primarily in Spanish.
Supporters of Patrick’s view argued that the Super Bowl remains a uniquely American broadcast and should reflect that identity more closely. The league has not issued a response addressing her remarks directly.
Looking ahead to Super Bowl LX
The Super Bowl routinely attracts over 100 million U.S. viewers, according to Nielsen, giving the halftime show unmatched cultural reach. As February 8, 2026 approaches, attention is expected to shift toward production details, guest appearances, and performance planning.
The conversation now sits at the intersection of sports, culture, and identity. Whether the focus remains on controversy or transitions into anticipation, the halftime show once again reflects how much the Super Bowl has changed and who it is trying to reach.
This article is based on verified NFL announcements, public statements from Danica Patrick, and global streaming data published by Spotify. Historical comparisons and audience context draw from reporting by Billboard, The New York Times, and Nielsen ratings data.
