KRALENDIJK - During Bad Bunny’s spectacular halftime show, viewers from the islands spotted a striking detail: among the dancing crowd, the flag of Aruba, Bonaire and Statia was clearly waving. The moment was quickly picked up on social media and generated enthusiastic reactions from island residents and fans worldwide.
The artist, born Benito Martínez Ocasio and hailing from Puerto Rico, delivered an energetic performance that centered on his roots. The stage design referenced island life and social themes, while he used symbolic imagery to subtly comment on the situation in his home region.
As usual, the singer went all out with guest performances. Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, among others, appeared on stage. Additionally, a medley featuring music from reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee was performed. Notable detail: Gaga was the only artist who sang in English.
Political statement during sporting event
Afterwards, Donald Trump spoke critically about the performance, describing it as "absolutely terrible" and "one of the worst ever." It was notable that the president even had something to say about the dancers on stage.
The show came shortly after Bad Bunny had openly criticized American immigration policy during an awards ceremony. In his performance, he chose a less direct approach, but still included references to those earlier statements. His acceptance speech briefly appeared on a television screen in the set design, and he symbolically gave a Grammy statue to a child with the message to keep believing in themselves.
For local viewers, one image remained most memorable: the Aruba, Bonaire and Statia flags standing out above the crowd, an unexpected and heartwarming detail in an evening full of spectacle.
