After nearly five months of bustle, controversy, and speculations that revolved around this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, headliner Bad Bunny officially made history — and powerful statements — at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday (Feb. 8).

The almost 15-minute-long show that took place during the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots faceoff (Seahawks won 29-13) was not your typical halftime show: it was intentional, it was prideful, it was cultural, it was en Español, and it was “a huge party,” as the Puerto Rican artist promised during a press conference earlier in the week.

Benito (his real name) loudly and proudly sang some of the biggest hits — ”Tití Me Preguntó,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” “NuevaYol,” and “Baile Inolvidable,” to name a few — that ultimately made him the No. 1 music artist in the world right now, and the 2026 Grammy winner of the coveted album of the year award with Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Karol G, Cardi B, and Pedro Pascal were among his surprise guests.

But beyond that, he brought a message of unity to the field: “Together We Are America,” read a football he held at the end of his performance. Bad Bunny previously admitted that he “never thought” his Grammy-winning album would land him as a headliner on music’s biggest stage.

“I wasn’t looking for the album of the year at the Grammys and Latin Grammys,” he noted during the conference. “I wasn’t looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. I was just looking to connect with my roots, my people more than ever, connect with myself, my history, my culture. I did it in a very honest way […] You always have to be proud of who you are and feel comfortable being yourself, but don’t let that limit yourself. I know where I come from, but I also know where I can go.”

Over at the stadium, Seahawks and Patriots fans gathered alike but also a wave of fans that were rooting for the highly-anticipated Benito Bowl, flaunting their pava straw hats and “Team Benito” merch.

Below, check out some things you didn’t see on TV:

Bad Bunny transformed the Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday (Feb. 8) into a joyous celebration of identity, history, and unity, stitching together his Puerto Rican roots with broader themes that resonate across the Americas.

From the opening scene of sugar cane fields — a nod to the island’s colonial past — to the portrayal of the now-iconic Casita, the Puerto Rican superstar paid homage to the resilience and struggles of his homeland. Tributes to barber shops, domino tables, piraguas vendors, and Nuyorican pride brought to life the everyday traditions and essence of Caribbean culture.

Much of the symbolism ran deep: “El Apagón” spotlighted Puerto Rico’s ongoing power grid struggles and displacement — read more on that below — while a shoutout to every nation in the Americas emphasized a powerful message of connectedness.

Amid heartfelt moments like the Grammy handoff to a young boy dressed as a young Benito and an actual wedding that took place on stage, the hitmaker proved that his halftime show was about much more than entertainment but a celebration of heritage, community, and perseverance.

Already ranked as one of the most-watched halftime performances in Super Bowl history, Bad Bunny’s show delivered impact far beyond entertainment

More than a 13-minute medley spanning through all of his hits, his performance was a carefully curated display of cultural pride. As the night culminated with his “Together We Are America” message appropriately emblazoned on his football, El Conejo Malo showed the world that halftime shows can be more than extravagant.

Let’s dive into the references and moments you might have missed.