Staff Reports
At the recent Super Bowl, fans were given quite the halftime show surprise. Instead of an all-American performance full of stars, stripes, and familiar tunes, they got Bad Bunny. Now, Bad Bunny might be a superstar in his own right, but his halftime show seemed more suited for a different crowd—one that doesn’t necessarily tune in for the football. It’s kinda like inviting a vegan to a barbecue and expecting them to enjoy the main course.
During the performance inside the stadium, the energy was more awkward than electric. The fan footage made it pretty clear. Instead of a sea of fans dancing and singing along, the crowd resembled a collection of uninterested statues. It was mostly just one or two fans awkwardly moving to the music, while the rest appeared mystified or disinterested. So, if this was meant to be a big moment for the National Football League, it might have missed the end zone by a mile.
Meanwhile, Turning Point USA hosted an alternate halftime show that seemed to hit all the right notes with the patriotic crowd. Their show was abundant in English-language songs, American pride, and performances that genuinely celebrated being stars-and-stripes-loving Americans. With an artist lineup that embraced values many fans hold dear, it accumulated a staggering 20 million YouTube views. It seems America had spoken—or watched, rather.
This contrast reveals more than just differing music tastes. It highlights a significant culture clash. The NFL, it seems, misjudged their core audience’s preferences, trading touchdown dances for what some fans saw as a halftime fumble. Instead of celebrating national pride in America’s biggest sports event, they staged a show that seemed out of touch with the event’s traditional essence.
It’s a classic reminder that sometimes, catering to what your audience loves is the best playbook. The Turning Point USA performance seemed to understand this play perfectly, while the NFL halftime choice might still be scratching its head about the rules of their own game. After all, the Super Bowl isn’t just a sports event—it’s a celebration of what many Americans cherish.
