Bad Bunny gets emotional during Super Bowl halftime show presser

Bad Bunny got emotional as he teased his highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

During Apple Music’s presser on Thursday, the musician was asked about the person who supported him before the “world knew his name,” and he tearfully credited his mom.

“My mom because she believed in me, and I’m not talking about my music career, I’m just talking about before everything,” the Puerto Rican singer, 31, said.

“She believed in me as a person, as a human. She believed in me that in my decisions in my opinions in my taste in my choices she believe in me as a person, smart guy, talented and I think that’s what got me here, you know?” Bad Bunny continued tearfully.

Elsewhere in the conversation, he was asked if he would be having any surprise guest on stage with him.

“You know that’s something I’m not going to tell you. I don’t know why you ask that,” the three-time Grammy winner laughed off.

Despite playing coy about potential musical guests, the rapper did make it clear that viewers can expect a “huge party” from his performance.

“I just want to have fun, it’s going to be a huge party … I don’t want to give spoilers, people only need to worry about dancing. They don’t even have to learn Spanish, it’s better if they dance but there’s no better dance that comes from the heart. … Of course, choose your team at the game.”

Bad Bunny — whose real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — also shared how he is feeling leading up to his performance — especially coming off of his big wins at the 2026 Grammys.

“It’s been a lot. Of course, there is a lot of gratitude. It’s how I’ve been feeling this whole year with the album. The biggest feeling is being grateful. I am taking things one day at a time and just living.”

Ahead of his show, Bad Bunny is trying to “take it easy” and “not put the pressure on.”

“I am going to have fun. The crew, the people. That’s what I’m trying to focus on. Enjoy the moment, what is happening.”

The press conference kicked off just weeks after Bad Bunny gave fans a first taste of what they can expect from his performance.

Taking to social media, the “Monaco” singer dropped a lively trailer, which was shot entirely in Puerto Rico and set to his hit song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.”

The clip featured the style icon dancing under the Flamboyant tree, one of the island’s symbols of pride and identity.

He used the video as an open invitation to football fans — no matter where they come from or what they look like — to tune in to his halftime show.

Bad Bunny announced he would be headlining the show in September 2025, telling Page Six in a statement, “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. 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.”

He added in Spanish, “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” which translates to, “Go and tell your grandmother, that we will be the halftime show of the Super Bowl.”

Jay-Z, who plays a crucial role in selecting the Super Bowl performer via his company Roc Nation, said of the “I Like It” singer, “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

However, the decision sparked controversy as fans were divided on Bad Bunny being selected as the halftime performer.

Critics took to social media, with many arguing that the singer should not be featured after frequently criticizing the Trump administration and the cruelty of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Meanwhile, many celebrities celebrated and supported Bad Bunny, including the ladies from “The View.”

“A lot of the MAGA folks apparently are very upset with the NFL. But they’re upset all the time,” Whoopi Goldberg said on the talk show in October 2025.

“Another great American performer is going to be performing. I don’t see the problem. Because y’all do remember Puerto Rico is part of the United States,” she added.

That same month, Bad Bunny also clapped back at the criticism during his “Saturday Night Live” monologue.

“You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime Show. And I’m very happy and I think everybody’s happy about it,” he said before quipping, “Even Fox News!”

“I’m really excited to be doing the Super Bowl, I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” the “Tití Me Preguntó” singer continued before switching to Spanish.

“Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors,” Bad Bunny said in his native language. “It’s more than a win for myself; it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”

The King of Latin Trap concluded his monologue in English by saying, “And, if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn!”

Bad Bunny is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. He was a special guest when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the 2020 halftime show in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.