Here is the breakdown of the most star-studded 13 minutes in Super Bowl history:
1. Lady Gaga: The Salsa Queen
The biggest shock of the night was Lady Gaga making a surprise entrance in a stunning blue gown inspired by the Puerto Rican flag.
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The Performance: Instead of a pop medley, she joined Benito for a salsa-inflected rendition of “Die With a Smile.” * The Vibe: Gaga wasn’t just singing; she was playing the bongos and maracas, fully leaning into the Tropical/Latin arrangement that left the stadium (and social media) in a state of absolute shock.
2. Pedro Pascal & The “Casita” Crew
During the “casita” (little house) segment of the show, which featured a recreation of a traditional Puerto Rican neighborhood, a group of “neighbors” appeared on the porch and field that stopped everyone in their tracks.
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The Lineup: Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba were all spotted “throwing it down” and dancing as part of the set.
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Pedro’s Viral Moment: A clip of Pedro Pascal dancing and “vibing” in the background has already become the most-used GIF of 2026. Fans are calling him the “Ultimate Hype Man” for his high-energy support of Benito.
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Cardi B’s Cameo: While Cardi didn’t perform a verse (to the disappointment of some I Like It fans), she was seen dancing alongside Karol G and Alba, serving as a visual “who’s who” of Latin cultural power.
3. Ricky Martin: The Passing of the Torch
To close out the guest list, Ricky Martin appeared to perform a version of Bad Bunny’s 2025 hit “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAII.” Seeing the 1999 “Latin Explosion” king alongside the 2026 king was described by commentators as a “historic passing of the torch.”
The Stats & Political Noise
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The First: This was the first Super Bowl halftime show performed almost entirely in Spanish, which Bad Bunny called a “victory lap for the culture.”
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The Controversy: Not everyone was a fan. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to call the performance “disgusting” and “an affront to American standards,” which only served to make the show go more viral as fans rushed to defend the artistry.
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The “Together” Ball: The show ended with Bad Bunny spiking a football that had the message “Together, we are America” written on it—a direct clapback to the “Learn Spanish” critiques he faced leading up to the game.
