Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has dropped a significant hint that he will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, following his decision to exclude the United States from his recent tour due to concerns over ICE raids. Before the NFL confirmed the Super Bowl performance during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers game on Sunday, Sept. 28, the 31-year-old, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, took to his X account with a subtle clue for fans.
He wrote, “I’ve been thinking about it these days, and after discussing it with my team, I think I’ll do just one date in the United States.”
Bad Bunny Super Bowl Appearance
This message is widely interpreted as a hint at his upcoming Super Bowl appearance. The comment also references his deliberate choice to omit US stops from his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, citing fears that concertgoers could face Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
In an interview with i-D magazine earlier this month, Bad Bunny was asked if his US tour absence was motivated by concerns about mass deportations of Latinos.
He candidly replied, “Man, honestly, yes. There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the US, and none of them were out of hate – I’ve performed there many times. All of [the shows] have been successful. All of them have been magnificent.”
Bad Bunny ICE Raids
He cited the unprecedented ICE raids nationwide following President Donald Trump’s re-election as a major factor in his decision. ICE’s current target of conducting at least 3,000 arrests daily heightened his concern for fans’ safety.
“But there was the issue of – like, f—— ICE could be outside [my concert],” he told i-D. “And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
Puerto Rico Residency and Tour Details
Despite skipping US cities, Bad Bunny emphasized that his American fans could still experience his performances during his residency in Puerto Rico, a US territory where he currently resides. His worldwide tour, supporting his sixth studio album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, begins in the Dominican Republic and concludes next July in Belgium.
Since its announcement in May, the absence of US stops has sparked extensive discussion across social media platforms.
Previously, Bad Bunny described performing in the US as “unnecessary” in an interview with Variety. He has also been openly critical of ICE, sharing an Instagram Story in June labeling ICE officers as “sons of b—–” for allegedly harassing people “working and trying to live their lives.”
Bad Bunny on Super Bowl Performance
On Sunday, Bad Bunny shared his excitement about performing at the Super Bowl, expressing the cultural significance of the moment:
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
Bad Bunny will join a star-studded lineup of artists who have previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. Past performers include global icons such as Rihanna, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Shakira, and Jennifer Lopez.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
