The NFL’s historic decision to feature Bad Bunny as the first primarily Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime performer was intended to be a moment of cultural celebration. But for 5 million Americans, the party was over before it began. The performance ignited a firestorm of frustration and prompted a boycott from millions of American viewers.

Bad Bunny opened the show strutting through a field of workers before the scene smoothly shifted into a street-style dance party in Puerto Rico. Crowd surfing followed, then an actual wedding, and suddenly it felt nonstop. In that sense, the Super Bowl halftime show demands a party, and he delivered one. However, his singing in Spanish caught fans’ attention, leading 5 million Americans to turn off their TVs in protest.

Nevertheless, the singer completed his performance, with surprises beginning to roll in midway.

Bad Bunny welcomed Lady Gaga to the stage for a Latin-infused version of “Die With a Smile,” and she did not hold back with her moves. Shortly after, Ricky Martin added a brief but beautiful moment of his own. Meanwhile, cameras caught Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba dancing along, which only added to the feeling that the show was everywhere at once.

Eventually, the night slowed for a meaningful close. The star-studded performance ended with Bad Bunny delivering a clear message of unity.

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“Lo único más poderoso que el odio es el amor,” he said, reminding viewers that love stands taller than hate.

In that moment, the intent behind the show was obvious. However, despite the polished execution, frustration quickly followed. Online, many US fans shifted the focus to the music itself, with millions tuning out in protest.

5 million fans boycott Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

Just minutes after the halftime show wrapped up, many fans did not hold back when sharing their first reactions to Bad Bunny’s performance.

“One of the best set designs I’ve seen, but I’m not really a fan of his music,” one fan wrote on X. Another fan added, “Great set designs, but I have a headache now.”

Not long after that, a third viewer summed up the mood, writing, “I honestly tried, even the wife said it was time to turn it off.”

As a result, a noticeable chunk of viewers went searching for something else. That search led many to the All-American Halftime Show at The Turning Point, which featured Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Gabby Barrett, and Brantley Gilbert. Interestingly, the event was actually promoted as an alternative to the NFL’s official show.

By the end of the night, it pulled in 5.1 million fans watching live, which only added fuel to the boycott conversation. And fans also shared why the alternative clicked.

One viewer wrote, “Watching TPUSA. I’m a country fan and it’s been missing from the halftime show and its been 23 years since they’ve done it…..and I can understand it.”

Even former Packers quarterback Brett Favre joined in.

“Not familiar with Bad Bunny so don’t know if his music is good or bad,” Favre wrote on X before the game. “I’m just going to watch what I know Lee Brice, Kid Rock All-American Halftime Show.”

Beyond music taste, language became another dividing line.

One fan explained, “I did watch, but I hated it because I don’t understand Spanish. The showmanship looked good if I could understand 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️.”

Another echoed that frustration, adding, “They are vibing but even as a person that has been trying to learn Spanish, not understanding 95% of it kills the vibe.”

Still, not everyone dismissed the performance outright. Former Eagles star LeSean McCoy offered a balanced take afterward.

“I don’t know not one song but sheesh that performance was GREAT 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 great job BadBunny,” he wrote on X.

However, in the end, this split reaction explains why the backlash refuses to cool down.