The N͏FL’s choice for the Super Bowl LX halftime performer has sparked a heated cultural͏ debate,͏ drawing ͏reactions far beyond the football field. And among the loudest voices weighing in is model ͏and podcast host Kayla Nicole, who did not hold back when addressing the critics, especially those whose objections reveal deeper prejudices.
Kayla Nicole Speaks Out on Criticism Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Role
As the league announced that Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 halftime show, excitement quickly gave way to criticism. ͏The Grammy-winning artist’͏s selection marks a significant milestone: he will be the first headliner ͏to perform predominantly in͏ Spanish at͏ the event.
Yet, as reported by PFSN’s Brandon Astreicher, the decision was “shocking” to some fans and has generated strong opinions across social media.
Nicole, who previously dated Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, addressed the controversy in a recent episode of her podcast Pre-Game. She acknowledged the cultural significance of the moment and how the reactions have exposed certain attitudes.
“I think that the discourse, too, around this whole Benito halftime show, I’m just thankful for moments like this,” Nicole said. “Because every time it happens, anything that has like any level of cultural significance, I know exactly who I need to unfollow and delete out of my f*****g life, because the racist people will tell on themselves every single time.”
Her remarks highlight a broader cultural tension that often arises when non-English-speaking artists take to mainstream American stages. Some critics have complained about potential language barriers, arguing they will not understand the lyrics.
Nicole dismissed that line of reasoning: “The amount of people complaining because they’re not going to be able to understand the words because they don’t know Spanish. I’ve listened to so much, so many genres where I don’t know what they’re talking about, but I still love a beat.”
Bad Bunny’s selection reflects the NFL’s growing recognition of global music trends. At 31, the artist has become one of the most-streamed musicians in the world, with three Grammy wins and 10 nominations. As Astreicher noted, his reach “spans the globe” and his latest album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS remains a major commercial success.
While critics question whether a Spanish-language performance fits the Super Bowl stage, supporters see it as an overdue celebration of cultural diversity. And as Nicole’s comments suggest, ͏the backlash says more about those resisting that diversity than͏ ͏about the artist himself.
With the spotlight now ͏on Bad Bunny’s February ͏2026 performance, the halftime show is shaping up to be more than just entertainment. It is becoming a cultural flashpoint.͏