Adam Sandler is not exactly known for being a hyperbolic speaker, which made his response to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance all the more genuine. When speaking about his co-star and friend in Happy Gilmore 2, Sandler didn’t focus on any grandiose displays or statistics—in fact, Sandler focused on the vibes instead: “Oh, Benito was unbelievable. Loose, happy, made me… made everybody ecstatic. I loved it, and congrats to the Bunny! He is a great, great human being.”
The performance itself was full of moments that felt designed to be celebratory rather than necessarily traditional. Cardi B was featured relatively early on in the performance, seamlessly blending in with the choreography of the dancers alongside Bad Bunny. Pedro Pascal was also spotted making a quick cameo on the casita-set performance area, immediately igniting social media debates about whether it was actually him (it was him, c’mon guys). Jessica Alba was also spotted among the crowd of performers on stage.
Adam Sandler praises Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show
One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny to sing his song “Die With a Smile,” a collaboration that immediately became one of the biggest moments of the night. Ricky Martin’s appearance had even more symbolic meaning as Bad Bunny brought a generational icon of Puerto Rican music to the stage, a clear sign of the torch being passed. Other appearances, like Alix Earle, Young Miko, and Karol G, further reinforced the idea that the Super Bowl Halftime show wasn’t just a Bad Bunny concert but a cultural event.
One of the most symbolic appearances came from María Antonia “Toñita” Cay, as she handed Bad Bunny a drink during his performance. The owner of the Caribbean Social Club, a popular Puerto Rican hangout in Brooklyn, often name-checked by Bad Bunny, had a very personal connection to the event.
Of course, fans were split, both in their praise for the event as a milestone in Latin music at the Super Bowl, as well as criticism for how much Bad Bunny attempted to fit into the shortened time frame. Complaints from fans have also come from how fast-paced the event was, as well as issues with the sound quality, making many of the featured artists’ vocals hard to hear. The countryside-inspired look, while visually stunning, also drew criticism from fans, as it seemed to limit Bad Bunny’s movement. Sandler’s praise, though, rises above the noise. Regardless of how you feel about Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, it wasn’t meant to play it safe, and that, in itself, is part of the event.
