Lady Gaga has addressed the backlash following her surprise appearance during Bad Bunny’s headline Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday evening.
The pop star made an unexpected entrance as a wedding singer during the Puerto Rican artist’s 13-minute spectacle at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Together, the pair performed a Latin-inspired version of Ms Gaga’s 2025 collaboration with Bruno Mars, Die With a Smile.
The rendition blended English and Spanish lyrics and was backed by a live mariachi band.
Lady Gaga performed at the Super Bowl half time show
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Ms Gaga accessorised her look with a red Flor de Maga brooch, Puerto Rico’s national flower, adorned with white beads and pinned to her chest.
Critics questioned why the Italian-American singer appeared in what was billed as a celebration of Latin culture.
Social media users voiced anger at Ms Gaga’s inclusion, with some suggesting other artists would have been more appropriate.
“I’m so motherf****** pissed that Lady Gaga performed — someone not Latina — during this celebration of Latin culture, and then Cardi B was literally on stage and they didn’t do ‘I Like It’,” one viewer wrote. Others argued Brazilian singer Anitta should have taken her place.
The singer’s performance was criticised online
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Other backlash stemmed from expectations that Ms Gaga would make a bold political statement during the performance, given her long history of vocal activism.
Critics felt the show was too restrained, arguing that she avoided overt political messaging at a moment when many expected protest or confrontation.
Ms Gaga, whose birth name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is of Italian heritage. Her paternal family originates from Naso in Sicily’s Messina province, and both her parents are Italian-American.
She has previously said: “I am an Italian woman from New York, daughter of a strong family, who taught me to never give up.”
The singer responded to the criticism on Instagram on Monday, defending her involvement in the show.
“It was my absolute honour to be a part of Benito’s halftime show,” she wrote. “Thank you Benito for inviting me and thank you to the entire cast for welcoming me onto your stage. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Fans were quick to rally behind Ms Gaga in the comments section.
“What a great show! You did amazing,” one supporter wrote, while another added: “Absolutely iconic! You and Benito are the dream duo.”
Bad Bunny performed in Spanish at the Super Bowl half time show
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Others praised her for embracing Latino culture, with one fan commenting: “Your heart feels Latin.” Another called her the “mother of Latinos”.
The halftime show featured a wide range of Latine stars alongside Ms Gaga.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is from Puerto Rico, as is fellow performer Mr Ricky Martin.
Cardi B has Dominican and Trinidadian heritage, while Colombian singer Karol G and Mexican-American actress Jessica Alba also made appearances.
Bad Bunny was accused of being too political
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Beyond the musical performances, the spectacle included several celebrity cameos.
Ricky Martin joined Bad Bunny on stage for a performance of Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii from the headliner’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
Actor Pedro Pascal appeared inside a stage-built casita, a recreation of traditional Puerto Rican homes, which served as the centrepiece of the show.
Bad Bunny also faced criticism following his Super Bowl appearance.
Some called the rapper’s performance anti-American
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While some praised the performance, others took issue with the decision to deliver the halftime show entirely in Spanish, alongside what they viewed as subtle political messaging.
The set opened with Tití Me Preguntó before moving into Yo Perreo Sola and Safaera, drawing mixed reactions from viewers.
Several commentators described the show as overly political, with some critics questioning whether a Spanish-language performance was appropriate for the NFL’s biggest night.
The People’s Channel Ben Leo echoed those concerns on X, saying: “Forget the trash music,” Ben’s brutal critique began on X. “What’s the point in having a half-time show in Spanish?”
He concluded: “A lot of people can’t understand what’s being said. Just weird.”
