California Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially declared Feb. 8 “Bad Bunny Day” across the state, coinciding with Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl LX halftime performance in Santa Clara.
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“I am declaring tomorrow in California as ‘Bad Bunny Day’ when Bad Bunny performs at the big game in the Golden State with his soothing, beautiful voice, and his very nice looks,” Newsom said via X on Saturday.
Newsom later amplified his support with a tongue-in-cheek follow-up message, describing himself as “a tremendous lover of the Spanish” and “a huge fan of Puerto Rico,” before adding, “We love Bad Bunny! He is nearly as ‘hot’ as me — which is a big compliment, because there is nobody hotter. Happy Bad Bunny Day, America.”
Support also came from Tim Cook, who praised the artist on social media ahead of the game in a selfie with the singer to social media.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to deliver an all-Spanish halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, marking one of the most prominent Spanish-language showcases in the event’s history.
The appearance follows a landmark year for the Puerto Rican artist, who recently won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the first artist to claim the prize with a Spanish-language album.
Speaking earlier this week to Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans about his approach to the halftime show, Bad Bunny said, “I just want to be there. I’m just ready to do it. I want to feel it. I want people to watch it and enjoy it.”
The designation of “Bad Bunny Day” also arrives amid heightened political attention around the halftime performance. In recent public remarks, Bad Bunny has spoken out on immigration and identity, including a statement delivered at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, where he said, “ICE out… We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.”
Apple Music, which has sponsored the Super Bowl halftime show since 2023, continues its partnership with the NFL and Roc Nation, the Jay-Z-founded company responsible for selecting halftime performers. The collaboration has emphasized global and multicultural reach in recent years, with Bad Bunny’s selection reflecting the NFL’s expanding Spanish-language audience.
Super Bowl LX kicks off Sunday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. The game and halftime show will air on NBC, stream on Peacock, and be available via Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo.
