Bad Bunny used his second Saturday Night Live solo hosting gig to directly address the backlash surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show, blending humor, confidence, and a sense of cultural pride that has long defined his public persona.

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist kicked off the Season 51 premiere of SNL on October 4, with Doja Cat as the musical guest. During his opening monologue, he acknowledged the controversy surrounding his selection as the 2026 Super Bowl headliner but approached it with characteristic ease.

“You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl Halftime Show and I’m very happy,” he told the audience, smiling as the crowd cheered. “I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News.”

The show then cut to a satirical segment featuring doctored clips of Fox News hosts, humorously edited to appear as though they were praising him. “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician,” one anchor’s voice said. “He should be the next president.” The bit landed well, serving as a lighthearted response to some of the polarized reactions his announcement has sparked online.

Switching to Spanish midway through his monologue, Bad Bunny spoke more earnestly to his community. “Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors,” he said. “It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”

He ended the moment with a grin and a challenge to non-Spanish speakers: “And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

His comments came a week after the NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny will headline Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The announcement was met with a wave of celebration from fans, as well as pushback from conservative voices. Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump adviser now linked to the Department of Homeland Security, warned during a podcast appearance that ICE agents would be present at the event, suggesting that “there is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.” His remarks drew widespread criticism and were seen by many as an attempt to politicize a cultural milestone for the Latin community.

Bad Bunny’s hosting gig came at a high point in his career. Over the past decade, he has redefined the reach of Spanish-language music, becoming one of the most-streamed artists in the world while maintaining a firm sense of identity and independence. His ability to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries without abandoning his roots has made him a symbol of representation for a new generation of global artists.

The appearance marked Bad Bunny's second time hosting Saturday Night Live and came after his musical guest performance on the Season 50 finale, making him the first artist in 50 years to appear on consecutive episodes. His hosting turn helped launch the new season, with sketches that mixed celebrity parody, political humor, and self-awareness.