3 hours ago
Petition to Replace Bad Bunny with George Strait for 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show Surpasses 57,000 Signatures
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A grassroots petition launched on October 1, 2025, has quickly gained traction, with over 57,000 people signing in support of replacing Bad Bunny, a globally recognized Puerto Rican artist known for his reggaeton and trap music, with country music icon George Strait for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. The campaign, hosted on Change.org, claims that the halftime show should “unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly,” and asserts that George Strait, celebrated as the “King of Country,” embodies these values, whereas Bad Bunny allegedly does not .
The petition’s creators and supporters argue that recent Super Bowl halftime shows have favored modern pop and international artists, drifting away from what they describe as “the roots that have made American music what it is today” . Their call-to-action frames George Strait’s decades-long career and numerous accolades—over 60 No. 1 hits and more than 40 years in the industry—as a testament to his broad appeal and his alignment with what they see as traditional American values.
The petition states: “His performances are known for their authenticity and raw emotion, qualities that are crucial as we aim to unite fans from coast to coast,” and claims that Strait “embodies unity, tradition, and the timeless American music that truly deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight” .
The campaign’s language and rationale have drawn criticism, particularly for its references to Bad Bunny’s “drag performances and style” as being “the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage” . Critics argue that such statements risk marginalizing not only Latin artists but also LGBTQ+ communities, given Bad Bunny’s well-documented advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and his frequent use of gender-nonconforming fashion and performance to challenge stereotypes in both the music industry and broader culture .
Bad Bunny has been celebrated by many LGBTQ+ fans for breaking barriers in reggaeton, a genre historically marked by machismo and heteronormativity. His 2020 music video for “Yo Perreo Sola” featured him in drag, sending a clear message of solidarity with transgender people and gender-nonconforming individuals . He has also spoken out publicly against anti-LGBTQ+ violence, notably honoring murdered transgender woman Alexa Negrón Luciano during a high-profile television appearance .
LGBTQ+ advocates and Latinx organizations have voiced concerns that the petition’s framing perpetuates exclusion and erasure. “To suggest that a Latin artist who embraces gender diversity is not ‘family-friendly’ is to ignore the diversity of families in America today,” says a spokesperson for GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy group .
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most watched entertainment events in the world, drawing an audience that crosses all lines of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation . In recent years, the National Football League (NFL) has sought to diversify its halftime performers, featuring stars like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020, The Weeknd in 2021, and a hip-hop showcase in 2022. This shift toward greater inclusion has been both celebrated and criticized, reflecting broader cultural tensions over who gets to define “American values” .
Supporters of the petition contend that a George Strait halftime show would “honor American music heritage” and offer an opportunity “to unite fans from coast to coast,” as stated on the petition page . However, critics counter that this framing overlooks the fact that Latin music and artists like Bad Bunny are an integral part of America’s cultural fabric—a point underscored by the artist’s record-breaking popularity in the United States .
Social media has become a battleground for the debate, with hashtags such as #KeepBadBunny and #StraitForSuperBowl trending on X (formerly Twitter). Many LGBTQ+ fans and allies have spoken out in support of Bad Bunny, highlighting his role in advancing visibility and acceptance for marginalized communities. “Bad Bunny represents the future of music—one where everyone is seen and celebrated,” wrote one fan .
