Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium was, by every measurable standard, a success. The halftime show averaged 128.2 million viewers, though the broadcast reached its historic peak of 137.8 million viewers during the game’s second quarter. He had a set that showcased Latin American culture on the biggest stage in American sports.
Bad Bunny also became the first halftime performer to sing primarily in Spanish during a Super Bowl. However, strong ratings didn’t translate into universal approval, as TMZ obtained more than 2,000 complaints sent to the FCC following the halftime show, with over 100 specifically targeting the content of Bad Bunny’s performance as inappropriate.
FCC Complaints Target Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
The complaints obtained by TMZ were filed from cities across the country, and cited concerns ranging from choreography to lyrical content to the language of the performance itself.
One complaint from Salt Lake City described the show as featuring “sexually touching one’s breasts and crotch, as well as having others sexually touch others’ breasts. Sexually offensive dance moves.”
Another viewer called the performance “disgusting and an absolute embarrassment,” writing that the show featured “inappropriate behavior” including “twerking” and “crude behavior.” The same complaint referenced the alternative halftime show as “an excellent example of what people really want, also with real performers playing real instruments,” and said this about the show: “It was disgusting and an absolute embarrassment as an American.”
A separate filing from Rogers, Arkansas, took issue with the lyrical content of Bad Bunny’s setlist, specifically the track “Safaera.” The viewer wrote that they “looked up the English translation to the songs performed at the Super Bowl in Spanish” and expressed concern over “extremely vulgar lyrics,” questioning “how this garbage was allowed to be aired during a prime time when children are watching.”
Several complaints also expressed frustration that the performance was not in English, with viewers struggling to understand the lyrics of the songs. The FCC ultimately completed its review of the broadcast and found no violations of its rules, concluding that problematic lyrics had been censored or removed from the versions performed during the show.
The disagreement over Bad Bunny’s halftime show highlights a wider challenge the NFL faces when choosing a Super Bowl halftime performer.
For many viewers, it was a vibrant showcase of Latin culture, music, and identity on an international stage. On the other hand, others found the choreography, translated lyrics, and language selection to be inappropriate for a family-friendly broadcast.
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Both perspectives generated responses, and the volume of FCC filings, even after the commission cleared the show of any violations, suggests the conversation isn’t fading.
Whether the NFL factors these complaints into its decision-making or treats the record-breaking viewership as the definitive verdict will shape what the Super Bowl halftime shows look like in the years ahead.
