On February 8, 2026, Bad Bunny delivered one of the most visually stunning and culturally significant Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory. Performing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Puerto Rican superstar captivated millions with a 14-minute spectacle that celebrated his heritage, embraced Latin culture, and featured a lineup of guest stars, high-energy choreography, and a unifying message of love and inclusivity. While the halftime show itself received widespread praise for its…
On February 8, 2026, Bad Bunny delivered one of the most visually stunning and culturally significant Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory.Performing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Puerto Rican superstar captivated millions with a 14-minute spectacle that celebrated his heritage, embraced Latin culture, and featured a lineup of guest stars, high-energy choreography, and a unifying message of love and inclusivity.
While the halftime show itself received widespread praise for its innovation, style, and energy, a tiny, seemingly minor detail quickly went viral: the “grass” covering the stage during parts of the performance wasn’t simply a stage prop—it was 500 dancers dressed as plants, moving in perfect synchronization to create the illusion of a living Puerto Rican sugarcane field.
The Show That Captured the World
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, approached the Super Bowl with a vision: to showcase his Puerto Rican roots on one of the world’s largest stages.
From the moment the show began with “Tití Me Preguntó”, audiences were transported into a whirlwind of Puerto Rican life.
The performance featured scenes inspired by bustling nail salons, domino games in town squares, rooftop weddings, and vibrant street scenes.
Flags from across the Americas waved proudly in the stands, emphasizing the message that this was a celebration not just of Puerto Rico, but of the Latin American community as a whole.
he halftime set included guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, both of whom brought their own flair to the performance.
Lady Gaga delivered a sizzling, salsa-infused version of “Die With a Smile,” combining her world-famous vocals with intricate choreography alongside Bad Bunny. Ricky Martin joined for a medley of classic hits, blending seamlessly into the high-energy spectacle.The visuals were a feast for the senses: colorful costumes, dramatic lighting, and an innovative stage design that included giant platforms, moving props, and of course, the living sugarcane field.
Millions of viewers—estimated at around 135.4 million—tuned in, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows in history. Social media exploded in response, with fans praising the performance for its authenticity, energy, and celebration of culture.
On Twitter and X, clips went viral, and hashtags referencing the show trended worldwide. The show was not just entertainment; it became a cultural statement.he Humans Behind the Grass
While fans were dazzled by the moving sugarcane field, very few realized that the “grass” was actually made up of human performers, each wearing a 50-pound costume designed to resemble a stalk of sugarcane or other greenery.
One of these performers, Andrew Athias, better known on X as “The Reese’s Guy,” revealed the intricacies of being part of this unique Super Bowl spectacle.Andrew flew in from Philadelphia weeks before the show to rehearse with the crew. Only performers who met strict physical requirements were considered: height between 5’7” and 6’0”, an athletic build, and the ability to carry a heavy costume for hours at a time.
“It was more physically demanding than it looked,” Andrew explained. “You’re holding still for long periods, sometimes in the sun or under stadium lights, while wearing a costume that weighs more than most people’s backpacks. And we had to stay in character—completely still, like we were one with the grass.”
He described his role as deceptively simple: “They told me where to stand, and I was just supposed to ‘be the grass.’ No moving, no talking, no reacting.
Just stand there and be part of the field. It sounds easy, but it’s harder than you think when you know millions are watching.”
The secrecy surrounding the production added another layer of challenge. All 500 “grass” performers signed non-disclosure agreements that forbade them from posting about the set, sharing photos, or discussing their roles online for two weeks.
“I had all this knowledge about the show, the choreography, the guest appearances—it was torture not to talk about it or post anything,” Andrew said.
In terms of pay, Andrew revealed that despite the high-profile nature of the event, compensation was modest: $18.70 per hour, which included time spent on fittings and rehearsals. Nevertheless, he said he would have done it for free for the sheer experience of being part of a Super Bowl halftime show.
Another performer, José Villanueva, described the surreal experience of being on the field: “It’s something totally different being down there, part of this massive production.
I wanted to cry. The lights, the cameras, the energy—it’s overwhelming, but incredible. You feel like you’re part of something historic.”
Behind the Creative Vision
The concept of a living sugarcane field was part of Bad Bunny’s commitment to bringing authentic Puerto Rican culture to the halftime stage. Sugarcane is symbolic in Puerto Rico, representing both the island’s agricultural history and the resilience of its people.
The decision to use real people instead of props brought a human element to the performance, emphasizing community, movement, and life.
Bad Bunny and his creative team spent months preparing the performance, coordinating rehearsals, costumes, lighting, and camera angles.
The production had to synchronize perfectly with the stadium’s lighting cues, camera operators’ movements for the live broadcast, and choreography from all guest performers.
This level of precision required intense focus from everyone involved, especially the 500 “plant” performers who remained motionless or moved in controlled ways to create the illusion of swaying sugarcane.
The Viral Reaction
The “grass” detail quickly became the talk of the internet. Fans were amazed to learn that what looked like stage props were actually human performers.Clips circulated showing the subtle movements of the “grass,” and people marveled at the level of coordination required to pull off such a feat.
Of course, not everyone was thrilled. Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the performance, calling it “absolutely terrible” and “one of the worst.”
He described it as a “slap in the face to our country.” The critique sparked debate across social media platforms, with commentators like Piers Morgan firing back: “Couldn’t disagree more, Mr. President. I absolutely loved Bad Bunny’s halftime show … Oh, and Spanish is the first language for over 50 million Americans!”
Despite the political commentary, the focus largely remained on the show’s creative brilliance and cultural significance. For many, the performance was a historic moment for Latin representation on one of the world’s largest entertainment stages.Cultural Highlights
Bad Bunny’s halftime show celebrated Puerto Rican life in vivid detail. The performance opened with a high-energy rendition of “Tití Me Preguntó,” followed by scenes highlighting everyday Puerto Rican culture: lively domino games in town squares, bustling nail salons, and vibrant rooftop weddings.
The storytelling aspect of the set resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom praised the authenticity and pride embedded in the performance.
Guest performers enhanced the experience. Lady Gaga’s salsa-infused segment added an unexpected layer of energy and technical skill, while Ricky Martin’s medley connected the show to a broader Latin American legacy.
The show concluded with Bad Bunny giving a heartfelt shoutout to Puerto Rico and other countries in the Americas, emphasizing unity and cultural pride.
One particularly touching moment caused a social media stir: Bad Bunny handed a Grammy Award to a young boy in the audience.
Rumors initially spread that the child was Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old recently detained by ICE. TMZ later confirmed the boy was Lincoln Fox Ramadan, a young actor chosen to inspire children watching at home. The gesture was widely celebrated as an uplifting moment rather than a political statement.
The Human Cost and Experience
Being part of a Super Bowl halftime show is demanding, even for seasoned performers. For the “grass” dancers, standing in a 50-pound costume for hours required physical stamina, mental focus, and emotional patience.
Rehearsals often lasted several hours, and the performers had to memorize precise positions and movements to create a seamless visual effect.
The commitment of performers like Andrew Athias and José Villanueva demonstrates the invisible labor behind some of the most spectacular entertainment moments in the world.While the audience sees a few minutes of stunning visuals, months of preparation, coordination, and endurance make such moments possible.
Audience Reception
Fans across social media praised the halftime show for its energy, visuals, and cultural authenticity. Comments flooded platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok:
“Bad Bunny just raised the bar for every halftime show ever. That sugarcane field? Genius.”
“Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin were incredible, but the real MVPs are those dancers in the grass!”
“This is why representation matters. Puerto Rican culture has never looked this good on a stage this big.”
Some viewers admitted they had no idea the “grass” was human, expressing astonishment once the reveal came to light.
The combination of choreography, costume design, and stagecraft demonstrated the meticulous planning and creativity behind the performance.
Legacy of the Show
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show was more than just entertainment; it was a cultural milestone. It showcased the richness of Puerto Rican life, celebrated Latin culture, and introduced millions of viewers to elements of daily life on the island through music, movement, and storytelling.
By incorporating human performers as part of the stage, the show blurred the lines between audience and performance, art and reality.The show also emphasized community and inclusion, demonstrating how representation on a global platform can inspire millions of viewers to embrace diversity, celebrate heritage, and pursue their dreams.
For the performers themselves, especially the 500 dancers disguised as sugarcane and plants, the experience was transformative—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of something historic.
Conclusion
Bad Bunny’s halftime show at Super Bowl LX will be remembered for years as one of the most innovative, visually stunning, and culturally significant performances in Super Bowl history.
From the 500 dancers who embodied the sugarcane field to guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, every detail reflected careful planning, artistic vision, and respect for Puerto Rican culture.The viral revelation that the “grass” was human performers only added to the fascination, highlighting the effort, endurance, and creativity required to bring such a bold vision to life.
Millions of fans were captivated not only by the music and spectacle but by the cultural pride and storytelling embedded in every element of the performance.
In the end, Bad Bunny’s halftime show was more than a musical performance—it was a celebration of heritage, community, and artistry.
It reminded viewers around the world of the importance of representation, the power of music to unite, and the incredible human effort that goes into creating moments that will be remembered forever.
