There are performances you watch, and then there are performances you live inside. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was the latter. Not just because of the music or the scale of the stage, but because of how deeply it reached into homes, histories, and hearts across the world.

For us, the night began long before kickoff, as we eagerly and excitedly awaited the show. One of my best friends Sharma, also Puerto Rican, opened her home to us and turned it into something extremely memorable: a watch party that felt less like an event and more like a gathering of memories from back home and pride.

And the group there was a special crowd in general, a group that has shared a lot of laughter and memories together. And that was Marian, her husband Yip, my husband Sebastian, and me, and Sharma made sure that we were surrounded by authentic Puerto Rican food and for some reason we felt the kind of anticipation that you get when you know you’re about to witness something important.

Sharma even had a Puerto Rican flag draped proudly over the couch, another one set aside for photos that even featured a white balloon representing our flag’s star, and there were local Medalla beers chilling nearby, ones that Sebastian and I had brought back from Orlando after our recent trip, because details matter when you’re honoring home, right?

It’s so real, and to me, those details make everything feel so special. It felt like we were all celebrating a Puerto Rican Nochebuena in a way.

And trust me when I say that those are quite the fun parties in the island, memorable ones where we eagerly await Christmas Day.

We had on our Benito Super Bowl and Benito Bowl tees, which represented and gave a nod to Bad Bunny’s actual name, it’s like it made the whole experience even more festive.

In general, we had a blast watching the game and waiting for the halftime show. This wasn’t just about watching it at this point, it was about showing up for it.

When Bad Bunny took the stage, it was like a football stadium became Puerto Rico. The imagery, such as sugarcane fields, domino tables and jíbaro hats, wasn’t decoration. It’s like he invited the world into his language, his rhythm and his culture. Spanish led, and somehow, effortlessly. And it seemed like everyone followed the storyline and no matter what their background is, they were invested.

What struck me most wasn’t just the artistry undeniable, but the ease with which joy became collective. You didn’t need to understand every lyric to feel what was happening. The beats did the work. The movement did the work. The pride did the work. In living rooms, bars, watch parties, and streets across the globe, people danced. Not performatively. Instinctively.

That’s what made the moment unifying. It simply existed and dared people to meet it with openness and care. And many did. Afterwards, reels were created and strangers online wrote, “I don’t speak Spanish, but I loved this.” That’s cultural connection in real time.

As the final notes played and the screen faded, we sat there for a moment, still buzzing. Still smiling. Still proud. The couch draped in our flag. The table cluttered with plates. Our hearts full.

Bad Bunny didn’t just headline the Super Bowl. He turned it into a celebration of identity, rhythm, and belonging. For one night, the world didn’t just watch, but it danced.

And for many of us, as there were mentions of how love will always win above negativity, it felt like a house party that happily invited everyone in with smiles, hugs and warmth.

Let’s always savor that feeling and keep our hearts open to others. Because at the end, love will always win.