The Super Bowl halftime performance by Bad Bunny has triggered a strong global reaction. While some praised the Puerto Rican star for proudly showcasing his culture on one of the world’s biggest stages, US President Donald Trump criticised the show, calling it “absolutely terrible”. Amid the backlash, actor-dancer Nora Fatehi publicly came out in support of Bad Bunny.
She described the performance as emotional and meaningful, saying it sent a powerful message about staying true to one’s roots.
Nora Fatehi Praises Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance
On Monday, Nora Fatehi shared a video on Instagram reacting to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance. She wrote, “The Super Bowl… bad bunny and my take. #superbowl #badbunny.”
In the video, Nora explained why the performance deeply resonated with her. She said, “So I just finished watching the Super Bowl performance that Bad Bunny did, and I had to come on here to speak to you guys about it for so many reasons. This especially to the South Asian community and the North African community because I feel like both of these communities are so connected and so similar to each other and both of these communities are so important to me as an artist and I see a lot of our South Asian, even our North African artists pushing and pushing to be seen on a global level and to be recognised through their culture and through their language.”
She also highlighted the pressure many artists face to dilute their identity for wider acceptance. Nora added, “And I’m sure just like Bad Bunny, so many people would tell them that, oh, you know, if you sing in your language or if you portray your culture or you celebrate too much of it, it’s not going to be relatable for the global audience, for the international audience, mainly the West.”
According to Nora Fatehi, Bad Bunny’s performance challenged that belief. She said, “With the Super Bowl performance, there is a massive message that was sent out to the entire world. Not just his community, not just the Latin American community, but to the entire world that no matter where you’re from, no matter who you are, if you believe in yourself, if you trace, if you stay true to yourself, if you’re authentic, the sky is the limit.”
Nora said the performance was deeply emotional for her and even brought tears to her eyes. She explained that it was powerful to see an artist celebrate his identity, culture, and history on such a huge stage, using music and dance to tell a meaningful story. What touched her most was that the performance focused on people and heritage rather than ego, and she believes moments like these will soon open doors for South Asian and North African communities to proudly showcase their culture, artists, and language on global platforms.
What Donald Trump Said About Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance
Bad Bunny’s halftime show was designed as a tribute to his roots. The set was inspired by his hometown in Puerto Rico and unfolded like a visual story of his culture. The performance featured energetic dancers, strong cultural imagery and music rooted in Latin identity. Ricky Martin joined him on stage, while Cardi B and actor Pedro Pascal were seen dancing during the show.
However, the use of foreign flags and cultural symbolism drew criticism from some viewers. Donald Trump reacted strongly on Truth Social and wrote, “The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity or Excellence.”
He further added, “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History!”
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny surprised fans by deleting all his Instagram posts just hours after the performance. The move has added to the curiosity around what has become one of the most talked-about Super Bowl halftime shows in recent years.
