After the announcement that Unhealthy Bunny (full identify: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) can be headlining the 2026 Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present got here down, some members of the far-right have expressed disdain for the choice, and the cohosts of The View had so much to say in response.
The rapper, a local of Puerto Rico, stated in a press release of the choice, “What I’m feeling goes past myself. It’s for many who got here earlier than me and ran numerous yards so I may are available in and rating a landing… that is for my folks, my tradition, and our historical past. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.” He’d beforehand declined to incorporate the U.S. in his international tour over issues that his patrons could also be subjected to ICE raids outdoors of the venues. The Tremendous Bowl will happen in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. Unhealthy Bunny beforehand carried out as a part of the 2020 Tremendous Bowl with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira as headliners.
“He additionally has a historical past of talking out towards You Know Who,” Whoopi Goldberg stated of the scenario. “So quite a lot of the MAGA people, apparently, are very upset with NFL, however they’re upset on a regular basis.”
“One other nice American performer goes to be performing. I don’t see the issue as a result of y’all do bear in mind Puerto Rico as a part of [the United States],” she continued.
Sunny Hostin echoed her level to say, “There have been folks on-line which might be like, ‘Why couldn’t they’ve chosen an American?’ I used to be like, ‘Oh, they did, although.’”
Hostin continued, “He’s really an artist activist, and we haven’t seen that for fairly a while, I feel. And that is the time for that. He stated that he’ll always remember what Donald Trump did and what he didn’t do when Puerto Rico wanted a caring and competent chief. I feel he’s speaking about Hurricane Maria, and I feel what’s so fantastic is that he’s not solely doing the Tremendous Bowl, he’s going to be the host for the season opener of SNL. He did a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico… he carried out 31 reveals, and his residency introduced $400 million to the island, $400 million, after which lastly, he streamed it on Amazon, his final present. It was the most-watched single artist efficiency in Amazon music historical past. And so that is the kind of highlight he’s bringing to Puerto Rico, and he’s bringing cash, a highlight. He’s going to assist with the infrastructure, know-how, all of this stuff he’s doing for America. For America.”
“I’m gonna have to observe the Tremendous Bowl, which I by no means do, as a result of I feel Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio is perfecto,” Ana Navarro then stated. “I like what he’s doing. Additionally, let’s give it some thought, as a result of, you realize, these MAGA folks at all times assume that every part is about them. The NFL is investing so much in making an attempt to extend fandom all around the world… They’ve been enjoying video games in Brazil. They’ve been enjoying video games in London. Unhealthy Bunny is a global celebrity…. He’s going throughout Europe, throughout Latin America. He’s the most-streamed artist globally … for 3 consecutive years. And you realize what? He’s good at his craft. He is a good artist. That live performance in Puerto Rico, that residency he did, folks went, got here again … they got here again woke up.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin additionally weighed in on the matter, saying, “It’s a enterprise resolution on the finish of the day. To Ana’s level, he’s probably the most excessive artist on Spotify a number of years over. Additionally, [he] hits a brand new technology that you could be wish to be bringing in some new viewers who’re going to tune in.” She advised that maybe the NFL will herald a rustic artist to supply some genre-blending to the present.
“The underside line is, that is what the NFL does,” Goldberg concluded. “They get the artists they wish to for all the explanations all people stated, and so there ought to be no subject. … He stated sure, so I’ll be watching.”
The View, Weekdays, 11a/10c, ABC