Bad Bunny turns SNL into a masterclass on Latino pride and power

Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, hosting the season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live this weekend, used his monologue to do what he does best — turn criticism into culture. The global superstar addressed backlash over his upcoming 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which he’s confirmed will be performed entirely in Spanish. “If you don’t understand it,” he quipped, “you have four months to learn.”

It was a pointed response to conservative outrage, including Fox News commentators questioning whether a Puerto Rican should headline “America’s game” and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly threatening ICE enforcement at the event. Supporters, meanwhile, have hailed the moment as a milestone for Latino representation in mainstream entertainment and reminding people that Puerto Rico is still part of the United States.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, framed the show as a celebration of Latino identity and contribution to U.S. culture. On SNL, he carried that same pride with bilingual confidence, mixing Spanish and English in his jokes and sketches. He moved seamlessly from absurdist humor to self-aware satire, poking fun at fame, fandom and politics without ever losing his ease.

Doja Cat amped up the night’s chaos with a genre-bending performance that blurred pop and performance art. Together, the two artists made the episode feel like more than a comedy kickoff — it was a cultural statement.

In a season once again sure to be packed with political punchlines, SNL opened with something deeper: a pop star reminding America that its culture has never been monolingual.