As a part of the decision-makers behind deciding on Bad Bunny because the headliner for the Tremendous Bowl 2026 halftime present, Jay-Z would not appear to remorse his selection. As an alternative, he believes the backlash over the choice is unreal.
The controversy over the Puerto Rican artist being chosen to carry out on soccer’s greatest night time subsequent February continues to simmer.
Following feedback from the NFL’s management on the controversy, Jay-Z has turn into the newest of the present’s organizers to reply to critics.
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Jay-Z Replies To Unhealthy Bunny Backlash, Suggesting He Is Not Giving In To The Hate
On Monday, October 27, the Roc Nation founder, whose firm helps resolve the headliner of the halftime present every year, broke his silence amid the outrage surrounding Unhealthy Bunny.
When TMZ caught up with Jay-Z, whose actual identify is Shawn Carter, in New York, the interviewer requested, “Why are they hating?” to which the rapper replied, “They love him. Do not allow them to idiot you,” hinting that he’s standing by Unhealthy Bunny.
The “Endlessly Younger” rapper’s response will not be stunning, as earlier in September, when the NFL introduced the headliner, he didn’t draw back from singing Unhealthy Bunny’s praises.
At the moment, Jay-Z mentioned per The Blast, “What Benito has carried out and continues to do for Puerto Rico is actually inspiring. We’re honored to have him on the world’s greatest stage.”
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NFL Addressed The Unhealthy Bunny Outrage, Stated It Was Anticipated

Jay- Z’s response comes a couple of days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed the criticisms concerning the group’s choice, emphasizing that the choice was well-considered.
As The Blast beforehand coated, Goodell famous that controversy tends to accompany almost each artist chosen for the coveted spot.
“I am unsure we have ever chosen an artist the place we did not have some blowback or criticism,” he mentioned. “It is fairly arduous to do when you might have actually a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of individuals which might be watching.”
The official went forward to share his confidence within the artist’s capability, saying that his efficiency would function a unifying second internationally.
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How Donald Trump Reacted To The Tremendous Bowl Headliner Announcement

Earlier than Jay-Z and Goodell’s protection of the “Mia” singer got here in, the Tremendous Bowl reserving had already drawn reactions from a number of notable figures, together with Donald Trump.
Based on The Blast, the U.S. chief did not maintain again, slamming the NFL’s selection as “completely ridiculous.” Talking on Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Studies,” the president admitted he had no thought who the three-time Grammy winner was.
When host Greg Kelly described Unhealthy Bunny as somebody who “hates ICE” and infrequently labels criticism as racism, Trump replied, “I’ve by no means heard of him… I do not know who he’s.”
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Petition Demanding Unhealthy Bunny’s Elimination Gained Enormous Assist

Including to Trump’s clear disapproval, a Change.org petition reported by The Blast referred to as for changing Unhealthy Bunny with George Strait and has gathered over fifty thousand signatures.
Making a case for why the “I Like It” collaborator is unfit to take the stage for the distinguished occasion, the critics identified that his type of music doesn’t mirror true American music.
Based on the petition, Strait’s type, however, embodies “unity, custom, and the timeless American music that really deserves the 2026 Tremendous Bowl highlight.”
They additional argued that the forthcoming occasion ought to have fun the musical roots that formed America’s id, not like the previous ones which have centered on trendy pop and worldwide acts.
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It then claimed the event should carry folks collectively and mirror conventional American values, somewhat than getting used to make political statements.
Unhealthy Bunny Supporters Slammed Danica Patrick Over Her Jab At Him

Whereas many oppose Unhealthy Bunny’s halftime reserving, others help it. Earlier in October, when ex-race automobile driver Danica Patrick mocked the Grammy winner, calling his gig “enjoyable” and saying “no songs in English shouldn’t be allowed” at America’s large events, she was rapidly slammed.
Many customers reminded her that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, which means Unhealthy Bunny can be American. Others defended the artist’s world affect, highlighting his 77 million month-to-month Spotify listeners as proof of his huge recognition and cultural relevance.
One fan wrote, “He is Puerto Rican, which can be a US territory that occurs to talk Spanish. If you don’t need folks [to] communicate in Spanish, possibly you should not personal Spanish-speaking territories.”

