Lady Gaga made a standout, unannounced appearance during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show, held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. In the midst of Bad Bunny's set, she joined the Puerto Rican star to perform a salsa-styled version of her 2024 hit 'Die With a Smile'. She blended her pop roots with Latin rhythms and brought additional star power to a performance already steeped in cultural resonance.
The musical moment was more than a cameo. It was a deliberate nod to unity and respect for the themes of heritage and pride driving Bad Bunny's show.
Symbolism in Style: What She Wore on Stage
Gaga's attire was carefully curated to match the evening's motifs. She wore a custom sky-blue flamenco gown by Luar designer Raul López, made to move in while she danced and sang alongside Bad Bunny. The shade of blue referenced the original Puerto Rican independence flag, aligning her look with the broader cultural narrative of the performance.
The key accent was an accessory pinned over her chest. It was a flor de maga, which is Puerto Rico's national flower. This deep-red blossom is endemic to Puerto Rico and recognised officially as the island's national flower in 2019. It grows only there and carries symbolic weight as an emblem of identity, resilience, and cultural pride for Puerto Ricans. By wearing the flor de maga so close to her heart, Gaga visually underscored her tribute to the culture being celebrated that night.
Accents like bold red heels, matching manicure, and a glossy red lip completed her look, ensuring that every detail reinforced the connection to Puerto Rican colours and symbolism.
Lady Gaga Expresses Gratitude to Bad Bunny
After the performance, Gaga took to Instagram to share her appreciation for being part of the moment. She posted a clip from her performance with a caption: 'It was my absolute honour to be a part of Benito's halftime show. Thank you Benito for inviting me and thank you to the entire cast for welcoming me onto your stage.'
She followed up with another post featuring photos of herself with Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin. 'I am so humbled to be a part of this moment. It's all the more special because it was with you and your beautiful heart and music', she said, thanking the Super Bowl headliner once more.
Behind Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico Concept
Bad Bunny's halftime show was widely praised for pivoting away from generic spectacle and toward a performance rich with Puerto Rican cultural references. The production featured elements inspired by everyday island life—from representations of sugarcane fields and traditional clothing to symbolic gestures about resilience and unity.
Bad Bunny sang mostly in Spanish and used images from Puerto Rican history and culture. With these, he made a statement about heritage and presence on one of the biggest stages in the world.
His use of symbols like the light-blue flag associated with Puerto Rico's independence movement — and the inclusion of figures from the Puerto Rican diaspora — turned the show into a message of pride and cultural visibility.
Fashion Meets Cultural Tribute
The musical and fashion choices made by Lady Gaga not only surprised people, but they also added to the story of cultural celebration in the show. She linked pop performance to cultural honour through careful styling and choice of symbols, sending a message of respect and unity that was heard far beyond the stadium lights.
