In an unexpected turn of events, artist Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has cleared his Instagram profile of all posts, unfollowed every account, and removed his profile picture shortly after headlining the Super Bowl LX halftime show. This move has left his more than 50 million followers on the platform surprised and without content from the 31-year-old Puerto Rican performer.
The social media blackout occurred in the wake of a divisive Super Bowl performance by Bad Bunny, which attracted significant critique from conservative figures in the United States. President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of the halftime show in a statement released on his Truth Social platform, criticizing the performance for its lack of clarity, creativity, and excellence, as well as its suitability for young audiences.
The halftime show began with a distinctive agricultural theme at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, transforming the field into a replica sugar cane plantation during the artist's rendition of his hit song "Tití Me Preguntó." The stage design incorporated imagery reflective of Puerto Rico's ongoing challenges, including representations of the island's troubled electrical infrastructure. These elements were a nod to the frequent and prolonged blackouts Puerto Rico has endured, exacerbated by the territory's unreliable electrical system, particularly during hurricane season.
The performance was also notable for its prominent use of the Spanish language, with Bad Bunny speaking almost exclusively in Spanish before switching to English towards the end of his set. This choice sparked backlash as he named various countries across the Americas, with performers carrying the respective national flags onto the field.
Simultaneously, millions of NFL viewers reportedly switched over to watch an alternative "All-American" halftime broadcast organized by Turning Point USA, featuring Kid Rock as the headliner, along with other artists such as Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The program paid tribute to Turning Point USA's late founder, Charlie Kirk.
The reaction to Bad Bunny's social media reset has been varied, with some fans expressing concern and others speculating about the motivations behind the move. The dramatic deletion of content from such a high-profile figure has fueled conversations about celebrity responses to public criticism and the pressures of maintaining a public image in the age of social media.
