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Jennifer Lopez fiercely defended Bad Bunny over the backlash surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
While appearing on CBS Mornings this week, the singer, 56, was asked by Gayle King about the controversy surrounding the Puerto Rican rapper, 31, being chosen to headline the February 2026 show.
Some critics, including President Donald Trump, have complained about the selection as the vast majority of his discography is in Spanish.
'I think it's wonderful people will get exposed to him who don't know him,' Lopez said. 'Just give it a chance!'
She continued: 'Music and art transcend languages, and he's done that more than anybody of any generation.'
When asked about the protests from people claiming they've 'never heard of' the Monaco hitmaker, Lopez pushed back, saying that the Super Bowl's purpose is to introduce artists to new audiences.
Jennifer Lopez fiercely defended Bad Bunny over the backlash surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance
'The Super Bowl is great because it introduces you to people who didn't know you. I'm sure there were people who didn't know me or Shakira or weren't fans of ours,' she said, referencing her own 2020 halftime show.
She continued: 'It's an opportunity to show people who you are, what you're about, what you believe in. It's a big platform for artists. It's probably the biggest stage that you could hope to be on.'
Lopez went on to connect her message to her upcoming film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, saying it carries a similar theme about staying open-minded.
'It's about love. It's about not having so many ideas and closing yourself off to experiences that you might be missing out on something wonderful,' she said. 'Don't do that to yourself. That's what I would say. I'm telling you — just give it a chance.'
King also brought up Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico residency last month, which ended with a surprise duet alongside Marc Anthony, Lopez's ex-husband.
The two Latin superstars performed Preciosa, a beloved anthem honoring Puerto Rico.
'When Marc came out, people lost their freaking minds,' King said.
Lopez nodded enthusiastically, before admitting she was 'jealous' she wasn't there to see it live.
While appearing on CBS Mornings, the superstar, 56, was asked by Gayle King about the controversy surrounding the Puerto Rican rapper, 31, being chosen to headline the 2026 show
'I think it's wonderful people will get exposed to him who don't know him,' Lopez said. 'Just give it a chance!' (pictured together in 2018)
Later in the interview, Lopez reflected on the broader cultural climate, saying her new film arrives 'in a time where there is a lot of hate and demonization of the Latino community and the queer community.'
She added: 'We need to remind each other that love is the answer — not hate.'
The Bronx-born performer has been one of Bad Bunny's most vocal supporters amid mounting criticism from conservative circles.
His selection for the coveted Super Bowl slot, produced by Jay-Z's Roc Nation, has drawn ire from Trump and his allies, who accused the NFL of being 'crazy' for choosing an artist who 'doesn't sing in English.'
Earlier this week, Lopez also defended the Grammy winner during an appearance on the TODAY show, calling him 'the top artist in the world right now.'
'Is there controversy? I swear I don't know,' she said, laughing. 'But why? I don't understand that... I'm so excited for his performance.'
She also explained: 'Music and art transcend languages, and he's done that more than anybody of any generation' (seen last year)
The Puerto Rican superstar himself addressed the criticism while recently hosting Saturday Night Live, joking: 'You might not know this, but I'm doing the Super Bowl halftime show and I'm very happy — and I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News!'
For 30 seconds, he switched back to his native tongue to describe the performance 'a win' for himself and 'all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors.'
'Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it,' he declared.
After switching back to English, he joked to the audience: 'If you didn't understand what I just said… you have four months to learn!'
On Tuesday, he was criticized for not standing during a rendition of God Bless America New during a New York Yankees baseball playoff game
Donald Trump called the NFL's decision to give the halftime show to Bad Bunny 'crazy'
On Tuesday, he was criticized for not standing during a rendition of God Bless America New during a New York Yankees baseball playoff game.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born in Bayamón, and was raised in the Almirante Sur barrio of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
His mother, Lysaurie Ocasio, is a retired schoolteacher and father, Tito Martínez, was a truck driver.
Although Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York, her parents, Guadalupe and David Lopez, are both native Puerto Ricans.
