Rock legend says he’s ‘standing up’ for Bad Bunny after ‘great’ Halftime Show

Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican–inspired halftime show at Super Bowl LX didn’t just energize fans in Levi’s Stadium — it won over one of rock music’s most recognizable voices.

John Mellencamp Voices Support

John Mellencamp took to X on Sunday night to praise the global superstar’s performance.

“I don’t know what Bad Bunny is saying, however, I do know he is standing up for Puerto Rico and I am standing up for him,” the Grammy winner wrote. “His halftime show was great.”

The endorsement stood out, particularly given the heated political and cultural debate surrounding the performance. While this appears to be Mellencamp’s first public show of support for Bad Bunny, he had previously joked about the artist’s name during a recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher.

Mellencamp, who has performed under several variations of his own name — including John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp — laughed about critics who once mocked his rebranding.

“They thought it was cornball,” he told Maher. “They like ‘Bad Bunny.’ It’s kind of a corny name. I don’t have anything against the guy, but it is a funny name.”

The tone was playful, not dismissive — and Sunday’s post made clear where he ultimately stands.

A Historic Halftime Moment

Headlining the Apple Music Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny delivered a performance that made history. He became the first artist to perform an entirely Spanish-language halftime show at the Super Bowl.

The set featured major hits including “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” “Safaera,” and “Monaco.” But beyond the music, it was the cultural symbolism that defined the night.

The stage design incorporated imagery deeply rooted in Puerto Rican heritage — from jíbaros in traditional pavas (straw hats) to a piragua stand. A block party–style casita setup filled the field with dancers and celebrity guests.

Among those spotted celebrating on stage were Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G and Young Miko.

Later in the show, Lady Gaga surprised audiences with a salsa-infused rendition of her global hit “Die with a Smile,” wearing a blue gown adorned with a maga flower — Puerto Rico’s national bloom.

Bad Bunny also paid tribute to musical predecessors, briefly incorporating Daddy Yankee’s iconic “Gasolina” and welcoming Ricky Martin to perform “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.”

A Message of Unity

As the show came to a close, a message lit up the stadium screens:

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

Moments later, Bad Bunny raised a football with the words:

“Together, we are America.”

The imagery struck many as a call for unity, particularly amid ongoing political tensions surrounding immigration and cultural identity.

Mellencamp’s support adds another layer to the broader reaction — one that suggests the performance transcended language barriers for some viewers.

Whether celebrated as groundbreaking or critiqued for its politics, the halftime show undeniably sparked conversation. And in that sense, it did what few performances manage to do: it resonated far beyond the field.

What did you think — was it the music, the message, or the cultural celebration that stood out most?