Jay-Z has dismissed criticism regarding Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance. The music mogul’s company, Roc Nation, produces the annual event.
Speaking with a TMZ cameraman in New York City on Monday, October 27, Jay-Z reacted to what he called "haters" targeting Bad Bunny.
"They adore him. Don’t be fooled," said the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, defending the Puerto Rican musician.
Bad Bunny, 31, was announced on September 28 as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show in 2026. This news quickly drew backlash from conservative politicians and public figures.
Former President Donald Trump, for instance, voiced his disapproval during an October 6 interview on Newsmax. "I’ve never heard of him," Trump stated. "I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy."
He added, "I think it’s absolutely ridiculous."
Former professional race car driver Danica Patrick, 42, also objected to Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio MartÃnez Ocasio, leading the show. Her primary concern was his predominantly Spanish-language performances.
On September 29, Patrick posted on X, "Non-English songs should not be allowed at one of the highest-rated televised events of the year in America…and not just because of sports."
During an October 3 appearance on Steve Bannon’s "War Room" podcast, she further clarified her stance. "Bad Bunny technically is a citizen because he was born in Puerto Rico," Patrick said. "I don’t necessarily care where you were born. What I care about is being able to sing the songs. His music almost has no English."
Adding to the controversy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be present at the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny has previously been critical of ICE.
Noem told right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson in an October 3 interview that DHS is responsible for security. "There will be an ICE presence at the Super Bowl," she affirmed.
"We’ll be all over the place… We’re going to enforce the law," Noem stated. "So I think people should not come to the Super Bowl unless they are law-abiding Americans who love this country."
Despite the negative reactions from some, others, including Jennifer Lopez, praised the decision.
Speaking on the Today show on October 6, Lopez declared, "He is one of the biggest artists in the world right now, probably the biggest."
Iconic film and theater figure Rita Moreno also defended Bad Bunny in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly en Español.
"Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl? Oh, I’m delirious!" the West Side Story star told Us at the 2025 Latin Billboard Music Awards on Thursday, October 23.
Addressing critics who argue Bunny is not "American," Moreno retorted, "So what? I’m Puerto Rican too. So what? What a drag!"
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. NBC will broadcast the event.