Lady Gaga's Unexpected Super Bowl Halftime Appearance with Bad Bunny Creates Viral Moment
Super Bowl LX viewers witnessed a stunning surprise during Bad Bunny's historic halftime show when Lady Gaga made an unannounced appearance. The pop icon joined the Puerto Rican superstar for a memorable performance that instantly became one of the night's most talked-about highlights.
The Surprise Performance That Stole the Show
Gaga appeared onstage at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California wearing a light blue ruffled dress as she joined Bad Bunny for a Latin-inspired rendition of her hit song Die With a Smile. The unexpected duet featured a salsa-infused dance routine with Bad Bunny spinning Gaga around before she blew a kiss to the camera. Though not officially listed in most Super Bowl halftime coverage, the surprise collaboration had fans buzzing across social media platforms.
Bad Bunny's Controversial Path to the Super Bowl Stage
The 31-year-old Puerto Rican music superstar, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, took the Super Bowl stage just one week after earning three Grammy Awards including the prestigious Album of the Year prize. His selection as halftime performer, announced in late September, immediately placed him at the center of a political firestorm.
High-ranking government officials criticized the choice due to Bad Bunny's past criticisms of U.S. immigration policies. The artist had previously cited ICE agents as a reason for excluding mainland U.S. dates from his tour. Former President Donald Trump was among those who condemned the decision and revealed he would not attend the game because of Bad Bunny's selection.
At the Grammy Awards ceremony just days before the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny stirred further controversy by stating: 'Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say, ICE Out.'
NFL Commissioner's Response to the Controversy
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation during his annual Super Bowl week press conference, describing Bad Bunny as 'one of the greatest artists in the world'. Goodell added: 'He understood the platform he was on. This platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talent, and to be able to use this moment to do that. I think artists in the past have done that. I think Bad Bunny understands that and I think he'll have a great performance.'
The Game Context and Celebrity Connections
Super Bowl LX featured a rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, recreating their February 2015 Super Bowl XLIX showdown where Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 28-24 victory after an interception thrown by Russell Wilson in the final seconds.
Among those with particular interest in the game was rapper Cardi B, whose boyfriend Stefon Diggs serves as star wide receiver for the Patriots. The 33-year-old artist welcomed her first child with Diggs in November 2025, shortly after confirming their relationship publicly in June of that year. Cardi B had previously filed for divorce from her former husband Offset in July 2024 and shares three children with him.
Pre-Game Musical Performances
The halftime show wasn't the only musical highlight of Super Bowl LX. Charlie Puth, who gained recognition through viral YouTube song covers, performed the national anthem. The 34-year-old New Jersey native was followed by Brandi Carlile performing America The Beautiful and Coco Jones performing the Black national anthem Lift Every Voice And Sing.
The combination of Lady Gaga's surprise appearance, Bad Bunny's controversial but historic performance, and the high-stakes football rematch created a Super Bowl Sunday that will be remembered for both its sporting drama and cultural significance.
