Bad Bunny Plans Dress Tribute at Super Bowl Halftime, Sources Say

Bad Bunny is expected to make a striking statement during his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance by wearing a dress in tribute to Puerto Rican queer and drag icons, according to people familiar with the plans.

The global music star, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is reportedly using the performance to honor decades of drag culture, resistance, and cultural defiance rooted in Puerto Rico. An insider involved in fittings described the look as intentional and provocative, calling it “a political thunderbolt disguised as couture.”

Another source said the artist has no intention of playing it safe. Speaking to Radar Online, the source claimed the NFL is unaware of the full scope of what is planned. “The dress is already being sewn,” a friend of the singer reportedly said, adding that backlash has not changed his mind.

The speculation comes after a brief nine-second teaser for the halftime show was released last week. The clip showed Bad Bunny walking silently toward the camera in a brown suit. Despite having no dialogue or music, it quickly drew criticism from conservative commentators and social media users.

Bad Bunny has long been outspoken about politics, particularly immigration and Puerto Rico’s treatment by the U.S. government. He has repeatedly criticized U.S. president Donald Trump, including his immigration policies. Last year, the artist chose to stage a 31-day residency exclusively in Puerto Rico, avoiding mainland U.S. tour dates amid concerns over mass deportations of Latinos.

He has also been vocal about language and representation. During his stint hosting Saturday Night Live in October 2025, he joked that viewers who did not understand his Spanish-language performance had “four months to learn.”

Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer generated debate, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision. Speaking at an October 2025 press conference, Goodell said the league expected criticism and expressed confidence that the show would ultimately bring people together.

In the final weeks of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, Bad Bunny publicly endorsed Kamala Harris after a comedian at a Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Shortly afterward, the artist shared a video highlighting Puerto Rico’s beaches and artists, captioned simply, “Garbage.”

Since Trump’s inauguration, Bad Bunny has continued to post politically charged content. In 2025, he shared a video that appeared to show immigration arrests in Puerto Rico. Later that year, he released the music video for NUEVAYoL, which included a Trump-like voice apologizing to immigrants and stating, “This country is nothing without the immigrants.”

Beyond music, Bad Bunny is a three-time Grammy winner, a multiple Latin Grammy recipient, and a prominent figure in fashion and film, with roles in Bullet Train, Caught Stealing, and Happy Gilmore 2.

If the reports are accurate, his Super Bowl halftime show is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about performances in recent years—both for its fashion and its message.