Shakira cheers on Bad Bunny as he prepares for one of the biggest stages in the world: the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Six years after sharing the spotlight with Jennifer Lopez at Super Bowl LIV, where Bad Bunny made a surprise appearance during her set, the Colombian superstar says it’s finally his time to shine.
“It’s about time,” Shakira said Variety in an interview published on October 21.
She recalled how her own 2020 performance, which featured portions in Spanish, was once considered a bold move.
“I remember when we did ours, even having part of our set in Spanish was a bold move… The acceptance of Spanish-language music as part of the mainstream is so far removed from when I started.”
The Hips don’t lie singer reflected on her journey, saying that the moments when her music “encountered resistance or confusion from the English-speaking world before being embraced” helped open doors for today’s Latin artists.
Now that Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will headline the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, Shakira couldn’t be more proud.
“I am so proud to see him perform on the biggest stage in the world,” she said.
“He represents not only Latin culture, but how important Spanish-language music has become on a global scale and how universal it has become.”
The Grammy-winning artist added that the timing couldn’t be better, calling it “the perfect time for a performance like this.”
She said: “I can’t wait to watch it.”
Bad Bunny’s upcoming halftime performance has sparked both excitement and criticism, especially since he performs primarily in Spanish. Still, his selection marks an important moment for Latin American representation in mainstream entertainment.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez, who co-headlined with Shakira in 2020, also shared her support.
When asked about Bad Bunny’s upcoming show during a recent performance at CBS morningsshe said, “Don’t do that to yourself. That’s what I would say. I’m telling you, just give it a chance.”
For his part, Bad Bunny said this opportunity is much bigger than just a career milestone.
“What I feel goes beyond myself,” he said in a statement.
“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. If you want, you can watch the HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
With Shakira’s blessing and the world watching, the 2026 halftime show will be a powerful celebration of Latin American culture and the unity of global music.
