The Seattle Seahawks may have taken the Super Bowl trophy at last night’s championship, but Bad Bunny was the real winner of the night.
Much as naysayers tried to fight it, the Puerto Rican superstar had everyone practically falling at their knees for him, with everyone from stars like Jon Hamm, Kerry Washington, Pedro Pascal, and even the NFL’s commissioner Roger Goodell standing by him.
Even Donald Trump, much as he opposed the Super Bowl this year, was caught watching the Halftime Show at his golf club, as opposed to the purportedly family-friendly Turning Point USA alternate halftime show featuring Kid Rock, which failed to air on Twitter (now X) because of licensing issues, had audio issues, and gave no indication as to whether it was actually live or where the performances took place, with some outlets reporting it was actually pre-taped in Atlanta.
While numbers are still preliminary and Nielsen has yet to issue a final tally, many are already reporting Bad Bunny’s show to be the most watched Halftime Show in Super Bowl history.
Scroll below for just some of the stars who expressed their support for Benito and the Benito Bowl.
© Getty ImagesRicky Martin
Ricky, of course, was among the surprise performances of the night, taking to the stage (or rather, the casita) to sing the ballad “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” about the United States’ colonialism in the island and Bad Bunny’s hopes Puerto Rico doesn’t get the same treatment. Taking to Instagram after his performance, he wrote, in Spanish: “You need to give me a couple hours to let me understand the tsunami of emotions that I’m feeling,” thanking Bad Bunny as well as fellow surprise performer Lady Gaga.
© XJohn Mellencamp
The “Jack & Diane” singer wrote on Twitter (X): “I don’t know what Bad Bunny is saying, however, I do know he is standing up for Puerto Rico and I am standing for him. His halftime show was great.”
© Getty ImagesJon Hamm
Jon, an avid Bad Bunny fan who went viral for his appearance at one of his concerts, attended the Super Bowl with his wife Anna Osceola, and was spotted dancing on the sidelines when the Halftime Show was taking place.
© Getty ImagesAlix Earle
The TikTok star was among the guests dancing at the casita in the middle of the field, and later wrote on Instagram: “it was such an honor to experience such a special and powerful performance.”
© InstagramKerry Washington
The Scandal actress shared a video of herself with a Benito Bowl-themed jersey, dancing salsa to “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” on Instagram, and on Threads, added: “That performance was the epitome of LOVE. And a wise man once said ‘the only thing more powerful than hate is LOVE,'” quoting the billboard Bad Bunny displayed above the field.
© XKacey Musgraves
The “Golden Hour” singer, also taking to X, wrote: “Well. That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.”
© XElmo
Even the beloved Sesame Street character stood by Bad Bunny, writing on X: “That Bunny was AMAZING. Elmo thinks he should be called Good Bunny! Elmo loves you, Mr. Good Bunny!”
© InstagramJennifer López
The “Let’s Get Loud” singer, who performed the halftime show in 2020 with Shakira and was joined by Bad Bunny at the time, wrote on Instagram ahead of the performance: “Sending you all the love, positivity and the biggest hug in the world! We are all behind you tonight. I know that you are going to kill it! I am here with you the way you were there with me! So proud to be Boriqua! Dale fuerte Benito. Como solo tú puedes hacerlo!”
© XLogan Paul
In a very surprising turn of events, the controversial influencer, long associated with the right, and who lives in Puerto Rico as a beneficiary of tax exemptions for Americans not already living in the island, publicly disagreed with his brother Jake Paul, who called Bad Bunny a “fake American.” (Everyone born in Puerto Rico since 1917 is a United States citizen.) “I love my brother but I don’t agree with this. Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island,” Logan tweeted back.