Global music star Bad Bunny delivered a visually striking and culturally focused performance during the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. As with many high-profile halftime performances, the show quickly sparked widespread discussion online — particularly surrounding a brief scene involving a young boy on stage.
A High-Profile Halftime Performance at Super Bowl LX
The NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. The Super Bowl remains one of the most-watched televised events in the United States, with halftime performances often drawing significant global audiences.
Bad Bunny’s set featured a selection of songs from his Spanish-language catalog and incorporated theatrical visuals reflecting his Puerto Rican heritage. The performance included stage design elements resembling a home living-room setting and concluded with performers displaying the flags of multiple countries across North, Central, and South America.
Photographs from the event show the artist standing alongside both the United States flag and the Puerto Rican flag. During the finale, performers waved flags representing sovereign nations throughout the Americas, reinforcing the inclusive theme of the show.
The Viral Grammy Hand-Off Moment
One of the most widely shared moments from the halftime performance involved Bad Bunny handing a Grammy trophy to a young boy during a staged living-room scene. The emotional exchange quickly circulated on social media, prompting viewers to speculate about the identity of the child and the intended symbolism.
Online discussions included various theories. Some social media users incorrectly suggested that the child was linked to unrelated news stories circulating at the time. However, those claims were not supported by official confirmation.
According to public posts from the child’s verified talent representation and the young performer’s own social media account, the boy was identified as Lincoln Fox, a child actor. Fox later shared a clip of the moment on Instagram, writing, “I’ll remember this day forever! @badbunnypr – it was my truest honor 🐰🏆🏈.”
Talent representation associated with the production confirmed that the child was cast for the role. The scene was staged as part of the halftime performance’s creative concept.
The Symbolism Behind the Scene
Entertainment industry analysts and media outlets covering the performance noted that the living-room scene appeared to depict a younger version of Bad Bunny watching an awards show on television — symbolizing aspiration and perseverance.
The visual presentation — including the wardrobe styling of the child — mirrored archival imagery of Bad Bunny from his early years. The gesture of handing the Grammy trophy to the child was widely interpreted as a symbolic representation of encouraging younger generations to pursue their goals.
The Recording Academy has previously recognized Bad Bunny’s work. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Música Urbana Album and other categories throughout his career.
Grammy Recognition and Recent Achievements
Bad Bunny has become one of the most streamed artists globally, according to official Spotify Wrapped data in recent years. His album Un Verano Sin Ti was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, marking a historic nomination for a primarily Spanish-language album.
At the most recent Grammy ceremony prior to the Super Bowl performance, he received major recognition from the Recording Academy. During his acceptance speech, he referenced immigration issues, using his platform to advocate for dignity and respect.
His public statements at award ceremonies and interviews have consistently emphasized unity and cultural pride.
Political Reactions and Public Commentary
As is common with major halftime performances, reactions were divided across political and cultural lines.
Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized the halftime show on his Truth Social platform. In his post, he described the performance negatively and expressed disagreement with its artistic direction. His remarks were widely reported by national media outlets.
The NFL did not issue a response to the political commentary. Historically, the league has maintained that halftime performances are artistic productions developed in collaboration with artists and Apple Music, the official halftime show sponsor.
Meanwhile, many viewers praised the performance’s focus on representation and cultural diversity. Social media engagement reflected both admiration and criticism, underscoring how major televised events frequently generate broad public debate.
A Message of Unity Across the Americas
One of the clearest themes of the halftime show was inclusion across the Americas. During the performance, Bad Bunny expanded on the familiar phrase “God bless America” by referencing multiple countries throughout North, Central, and South America.
Visual elements included flags representing countries such as Chile, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, and others. A football displayed during the finale featured the message: “Together we are America.”
Puerto Rico’s inclusion held particular significance, as the island is a U.S. territory. Bad Bunny has frequently spoken about Puerto Rican identity in interviews and through his music.
Cultural commentators noted that the performance aligned with his longstanding advocacy for Latin music representation on global stages.
Cultural Impact of Spanish-Language Music on the Super Bowl Stage
Bad Bunny’s performance marked another milestone for Spanish-language music at the Super Bowl. In recent years, the NFL has featured artists including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and others who incorporated Latin influences into halftime performances.
According to Billboard and Nielsen data, Latin music consumption in the United States has grown significantly over the past decade. The inclusion of Spanish-language artists in mainstream American events reflects broader demographic and cultural shifts.
Industry analysts frequently cite streaming data as evidence of Latin music’s expanding global reach.
Social Media and Misinformation
The rapid spread of online speculation regarding the child’s identity highlights how quickly misinformation can circulate during major live events. Media literacy experts emphasize the importance of verifying claims through official sources before sharing them.
In this case, confirmation from the child actor’s representation and social media account clarified the situation. The NFL broadcast did not identify the child by name during the live event.
Entertainment coverage following the performance helped correct inaccurate claims circulating online.
Bad Bunny’s Continued Global Influence
Bad Bunny remains one of the most commercially successful and culturally influential artists in the world. His tours have ranked among the highest-grossing globally, according to Pollstar reports. He has also appeared in film projects and fashion campaigns, further expanding his international profile.
Through his music and public appearances, he frequently addresses themes of cultural pride, social unity, and representation.
His Super Bowl LX halftime show reinforced those themes on one of the largest televised platforms in the world.
Final Takeaway
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show combined theatrical storytelling, Latin cultural celebration, and symbolic imagery. While the performance sparked heated online conversations — particularly surrounding the viral Grammy hand-off moment — official confirmation clarified that the child on stage was actor Lincoln Fox, cast as part of the show’s creative concept.
As with many major entertainment events, reactions varied widely. However, the performance underscored the growing global influence of Spanish-language music and reaffirmed Bad Bunny’s consistent message of inclusion and unity across the Americas.
Whether praised or debated, the halftime show undeniably became one of the most talked-about cultural moments of Super Bowl LX.