Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance was a smash hit, but we now have a glimpse of how it was viewed by its detractors — and it’s not pretty.
This week, complaints by viewers to the FCC about Benito’s iconic halftime show at Santa Clarita’s Levi Stadium were made public, and initially spotted by TMZ. Most of them mentioned what viewers saw as obscene language and behavior by the six-time Grammy winner and his dancers.
In one comment from a resident of Mount Holly, North Carolina on February 13, they requested an investigation and fines to be issued to NBC and the NFL.
Another person described “a prolonged scene depicting two male performers grinding their crotches together in a manner that was clearly sexual in nature.”
“Such trash should not appear during prime time hours when little eyes and ears are viewing,” opined another.
“Since seeing this broadcast, young viewers I know have mimicked the suggestive behavior, which has caused me concern about the impact of such content being aired,” an additional one added.
Others were frustrated with Benito performing solely in Spanish, with one person accusing him of singing and rapping in a "demonic tongue." Although the artist is a native of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, the performance was also said to have been "anti-American."
In protest of Bad Bunny’s show, conservative entertainer Kid Rock held an alternative "All-American" halftime show hosted by Turning Point USA. Other right-wing personalities, like YouTuber and athlete Jake Paul, publicized their refusal to watch the performance and called Bad Bunny a "fake American citizen."
Another complaint from a Claremont, California, resident called out Bad Bunny songs "Yo Perreo Sola" and "Safaera,” which they said contained "explicit sexual references," along with the performance being described as "highly suggestive."
"My family, including young viewers, was deeply offended and disturbed by the obscene behavior, language, and imagery," they said.
To read all of the around 2,000 complaints, go here, here, here, here, and yes, even here.
Since wrapping up the Super Bowl LIX show, Benito has teased a new musical era by wearing an aged look to this year’s Met Gala earlier this week.
