The Washington Post characterized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as “wholesome” and embodying “family values,” despite the fact that his music features numerous drug references and explicit sexual content, spanning both gay and straight themes.
Bad Bunny’s performance, delivered entirely in Spanish, was not just filled with sexually charged lyrics; singer Ricky Martin made a surprise appearance, performing a song that protested against American policies.
This is the “wholesome” entertainment that The Washington Post praised in an editorial the day after the Super Bowl.
After discussing some of the show’s political undertones—a subtle jab at U.S. immigration policies, for instance—the publication noted, “But overall, the performance exhibited healthy, traditional family values, reminiscent of some of the more sentimental ads aired during the game.”
“There was a proposal, a (real!) wedding, and a party,” the post continued. “The set was vibrant, with cameras occasionally capturing the dancers in elaborate formations.” It almost felt like “Sesame Street” had created a reggaeton version of “People in the Neighborhoods” or Richard Scarry’s “Busy Town,” providing space for dancers wanting to show off their moves.
Furthermore, the newspaper commented that the dancers were “almost as provocative in their routines as those in the 1987 film ‘Dirty Dancing,’ which nonetheless retained a PG rating.”
While much of the dancing might not have crossed a line into obscenity, the lyrics Bad Bunny belted out were undoubtedly explicit.
“Even if critics were eager for controversy, Bad Bunny managed to keep them at bay,” wrote Shane O’Neill, the editorial writer, in a favorable review.
Yet, is that really the case? Awkwardly, the piece acknowledged that the author didn’t fully grasp Bad Bunny’s lyrics, as Mr. O’Neill admitted at the end of the article that he doesn’t understand Spanish.
In truth, Bad Bunny’s show did contain a plethora of drug references and sexually explicit content. For instance, one song included the line, “Smile even if I’ve already had sex with you.” Another had him declaring, “My dick is hot.” He also encouraged the audience to finish the line, “If your boyfriend won’t eat your ass, why bother?” Additionally, he sang, “My penis is a fugitive and I want you to hide it.” There were even mentions of cocaine and the street drug Tusi.
That hardly sounds “family-friendly,” right, Washington Post?
Many viewers expressed disagreement with the paper’s take on the halftime performance.
