Bad Bunny Reflects on His Remarkable Journey Ahead of Super Bowl LX Halftime Performance
As he prepares to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, Bad Bunny is prioritizing authentic connection and emotional resonance over mere visual spectacle. In a candid discussion regarding his upcoming performance, the global icon—born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—shared his mindset as he approaches one of the most prestigious stages in the world.
Speaking with Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, the superstar looked back at his meteoric rise, reflecting on the fact that just a decade ago, he was bagging groceries while dreaming of a musical career. “I just want to be present in the moment,” he remarked. “I am ready to experience it fully. My hope is that the audience doesn’t just watch it, but truly enjoys and feels the energy of the show.”
The Challenge of the Setlist
Condensing a career of global hits into a brief halftime window proved to be a daunting task. Bad Bunny admitted that the curation process was particularly grueling. “That was tough,” he confessed. “Even for my headline tours, narrowing it down to 30 or 40 songs is a struggle. Trying to fit everything into a 30-minute window was incredibly intense.”
Rather than simply stringing together his most popular tracks, Ocasio approached the performance as a narrative experience. He explained that his vision is centered on storytelling and mood. “I want to radiate happiness and joy. I want to inspire people to dance and feel a sense of pride—to show them that anything is possible.”
From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom
The conversation inevitably touched upon his life in 2016, a starkly different reality where he worked at a local grocery store while producing beats in his spare time. It is a past he keeps close to his heart to maintain perspective.
“It’s true. I was working at the store while creating music on the side,” he recalled. “I had no money, but I was fueled by dreams. Even now, with all the success, I still have that same hunger and passion. I approach my work with the same love I had before the world knew my name.”
Interestingly, when he received the official word that he would be headlining the Super Bowl, he was at the gym—and he kept the news entirely to himself. “I didn’t tell a soul,” he said. “Not even my parents. I prefer to keep things private until everything is set in stone.”
A Legacy of Authenticity
Following his recent success at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where he secured three additional trophies, Bad Bunny also touched upon a brief but meaningful encounter with Lady Gaga. “She told me, ‘I love you,’ and I told her I loved her too,” he shared. “I’ve always admired her deeply; seeing her is always an emotional experience for me.”
When asked what he hopes his legacy will be after the final notes of the halftime show fade, Ocasio emphasized honesty. “I want people to see me as an authentic artist—someone who doesn’t put on an act,” he stated. “I am proud of my roots. Music is a universal language; it allows you to connect heart-to-heart, even if you don’t understand every word. At the end of the day, I’m just a normal guy who happens to make music.”
Super Bowl LX, featuring the Apple Music Halftime Show headlined by Bad Bunny, will air on Sunday, February 8, via NBC and Peacock.
