Bad Bunny's 'Benito Bowl' Halftime Show Shatters Records and Sparks Controversy
Bad Bunny's highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show, dubbed the "Benito Bowl" by his devoted fans, captivated an impressive audience of 128.2 million viewers on Sunday. This figure surpassed the overall average viewership of this year's Super Bowl, although it fell short of the record set by Kendrick Lamar last year with 133.5 million viewers. Prior to Lamar, Usher held the record for his 2024 performance.
The buzz surrounding Bad Bunny's halftime show began well before the event, fueled by his global popularity and controversy stirred by some right-wing commentators critical of his celebration of his Puerto Rican heritage in his music. Despite attempts by conservative group Turning Point USA to counter with an alternative halftime show, headlined by Kid Rock, they were unable to match Bad Bunny's massive viewership. The YouTube livestream of TPUSA's show peaked at 6.1 million viewers and has since reached 21 million views, significantly lower than Bad Bunny's numbers.
Bad Bunny's halftime show was a spectacle filled with memorable moments, including a real wedding, daring stunts, surprise appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and a unique visual of 380 people dressed as grass. For a detailed breakdown of the show's highlights, check out Variety's interview with the producers.
Stay tuned for more updates on Bad Bunny's groundbreaking performance and the impact it had on viewers worldwide.