The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in the world. Millions of people watch not only for the football game, but also for the halftime show. Every year, the halftime performance becomes a major topic of conversation. This year, however, the halftime show has sparked a larger debate that goes beyond music.
For Super Bowl LX, the NFL selected Bad Bunny as the official halftime show performer. Bad Bunny is a global music star from Puerto Rico whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. He is one of the most popular artists in the world and has been Spotify’s most-streamed artist multiple times. In 2025, he won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year with a Spanish-language album, making history.
While many fans celebrated the NFL’s choice, others were unhappy. Some conservative groups criticized the decision, saying Bad Bunny does not represent “traditional American values.” These critics pointed to the fact that he sings mostly in Spanish and has openly criticized U.S. immigration policies, including ICE raids. At the recent Grammy Awards, Bad Bunny made headlines by saying “ICE out,” which further fueled the controversy.
Because of this backlash, a conservative organization called Turning Point USA (TPUSA) decided to create its own event called the “All-American Halftime Show.” This alternative show is scheduled to air at the same time as the official NFL halftime show, but on online platforms instead of television. TPUSA says the event is meant to celebrate “American faith, family, and freedom.”
The main performer for this alternative halftime show is Kid Rock, a 55-year-old musician known for mixing rock, country, and hip-hop. Kid Rock has publicly criticized Bad Bunny and framed the situation as a “David versus Goliath” battle. He suggested that his show would appeal to people who “love America,” while portraying Bad Bunny’s performance as something different and less traditional.
However, many people online quickly pointed out what they see as hypocrisy. Social media users began sharing lyrics from Kid Rock’s past songs, especially a 2001 track called “Cool, Daddy Cool.” In that song, Kid Rock includes lyrics about liking underage girls. These lyrics went viral, with many people questioning how someone with that history could headline a show that claims to promote family values.
So far, Kid Rock has not publicly responded to the renewed attention on these lyrics. News outlets attempted to contact his representatives, but no official statement has been released. Still, the controversy continues to grow online, with people debating whether the criticism of Bad Bunny is fair.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s success continues. His latest album has been praised by critics and fans alike, and his Grammy wins have only increased his global popularity. He is also known for supporting Puerto Rico, including holding a long concert residency there that brought significant money to the local economy.
In terms of reach, the two halftime shows are not equal. The official NFL halftime show will be broadcast to millions of viewers around the world. The TPUSA event, while heavily promoted within conservative media, is expected to reach a much smaller audience through livestreams and niche platforms.
At its core, this situation shows how entertainment and politics often collide. What could have been just a music performance has turned into a debate about culture, values, and who gets to represent America on a global stage.
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, viewers are left with a choice. Some will tune in for Bad Bunny’s historic performance, others will watch the alternative show, and many will simply focus on the football game itself. Either way, this year’s halftime show has already made headlines before a single note has been played.