9 iconic Super Bowl halftime moments as Bad Bunny prepares to make history

David BenjaminFebruary 6, 2026

One of the biggest events in music (and sport) is just days away. The iconic Super Bowl halftime show will take place on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. And, hot on the heels of his history-making Grammys sweep last weekend, Bad Bunny will be taking the stage to entertain the thousands of people in the crowd — and the millions watching at home across the globe. The 31-year-old musician, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was announced as the performer in September last year by the NFL, in conjunction with Apple Music and Roc Nation. (Picture: Getty Images)

Jay-Z and his entertainment company, Roc Nation, have served as the NFL’s official Live Music Entertainment Strategists since August 2019. Following Bad Bunny’s revelation, Jay-Z said he was ‘honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.’ He added: ‘Bad Bunny is bringing Puerto Rico to the world’s biggest stage. What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring.’ In a statement responding to the announcement, Bad Bunny highlighted the cultural significance of the event, saying: ‘This is for my people, my culture, and our history.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

So, as we (im)patiently wait for what is guaranteed to be a mesmerising — and likely record-breaking — set, let’s take a look at some of the most explosive Super Bowl halftime moments from shows past. From pregnancy reveals to unexpected reunions, the Super Bowl has provided pop culture with some epic memories. (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Beyoncé brings out Destiny’s Child — 2013

Queen Bey smashed it out of the park in 2013 when she took on Super Bowl performance duties. Belting out hits like ‘Love on Top’ and ‘Halo,’ Sasha Fierce never missed a note or put a foot wrong. However, it was her unexpected Destiny’s Child medley that sent fans into a frenzy. Halfway through the set, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams were launched onto the stage from beneath, wearing matching black leather bodysuits. The trio then brought ultimate nostalgia to the Super Bowl, as they performed their hits ‘Bootylicious’ and ‘Independent Women Part I,’ before accompanying Bey with ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).’ What was even more special was that it was Destiny’s Child’s first performance together since their 2005 farewell concert. (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Rihanna reveals her pregnancy — 2023

10 years after Beyoncé’s iconic show, Rihanna lit up the Super Bowl stage. Not only was it special because it marked the first time she’d performed in roughly seven years — RiRi’s last major tour had concluded in 2016, before she took a musical hiatus to focus on her business ventures, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty — but she also announced her second pregnancy. Similar to how Beyoncé revealed her baby bump in 2011 at the VMAs (we affectionately now know said bump as Blue Ivy), Rihanna subtly opened her LOUD-red puffa coat to show off her bump. Of course, she did this while performing her medley of hits while floating above the crowd on an LED-lit platform. All in a day’s work, we guess. (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show became the most-watched in history — 2025

Last year, Kendrick Lamar broke records after his Super Bowl halftime show became the most-watched performance in history. According to Billboard, the show was watched by an estimated 133.5 million people (the previous year, Usher’s performance pulled in 123.4 million viewers for comparison). Likely helped by his huge Grammy win (which is also what we’re expecting for Bad Bunny), where he won all five of his nominations, Billboard said he ‘came into the gig riding sky high,’ and ‘wowed viewers with intensely satisfying versions’ of his songs. This included his diss track Not Like Us, continuing his feud with Drake. (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake — 2004

Anyone invested in pop culture will be familiar with the infamous incident at Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. For those in the dark, let us explain: while co-headlining, a wardrobe malfunction exposed Janet Jackson’s breast for a brief moment. But it was enough time for it to cause an immense fallout that sparked debates about censorship, the sexualisation of female performers, and media responsibility. (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez — 2020

Latin queens Shakira and Jennifer Lopez took over the Super Bowl stage in 2020, and it was unreal. The pop icons dazzled with a celebration of Latin music and culture, incorporating salsa, Colombian dances, and political symbolism regarding immigration. They also invited guest performers J Balvin and this year’s headliner Bad Bunny to the stage to perform with them. Ultimately, Shakira and JLo’s show represented diversity and the power of Latin music on — as Jay-Z said — the ‘world’s biggest stage.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

6. A hip-hop history lesson — 2022

Hip hop fans were SEATED at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, because not one, not two, but six of the genre’s legends collaborated for the performance. Yep, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent all took to the stage to provide a genre-defining moment that celebrated and paid homage to hip hop, its history, its pioneers, and evolution. In short, it was a cultural statement. (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Diana Ross leaves on a helicopter — 1996

No one does the Super Bowl quite like Diana Ross. The ultimate diva (in the best way), she performed at the 30th halftime event way back in 1996. But despite being another 30 years ago now, her iconic exit is still one of the most talked-about moments in history. After taking the audience on a musical journey with some of her biggest hits, including the Supremes classic ‘Stop! In the Name of Love,’ and her solo hit ‘Chain Reaction,’ Diana bid farewell to the crowd in the most epic way. After shouting: ‘Here comes my ride!’, a helicopter descended from the sky to collect her. Diana then aptly ended the set with ‘Take Me Higher,’ as she perched on the edge of the vehicle. After departing, a message read on-screen: ‘A true diva knows how to make a grand entrance and an even grander exit.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Prince’s Purple Rain — 2007

Prince, aka one of the most celebrated, iconic, and talented musicians of our time, was the 2007 performer. It was a particularly rainy and stormy Super Bowl, which made for an unprecedented — but perfect — pop culture moment. While performing Purple Rain in his classic turquoise suit on a platform shaped like his signature ‘Love Symbol,’ the stage lit up in a purple hue. This made the arena actually look as if there was purple rain. It was one of those unplanned events that sent the performance from an already 100+ to infinity. (Picture: Getty Images)

9. Katy Perry’s left shark goes viral — 2015

In a less emotional — but equally as talked about — moment, Katy Perry’s 2015 performance went viral. It was all down to one of her dancers, who was dressed as a shark and dancing on Katy’s left, therefore known as ‘Left Shark’ to the internet. During a medley of ‘Teenage Dream’ and ‘California Gurls,’ where Katy was also surrounded by surfboards, palm trees, and beach balls, the dancing shark sparked a (every pun intended) wave of viral memes. Why? Because the dancer was way less structured and in time than the shark dancer on Katy’s right-hand side. Confused? Just Google it. (Picture: Getty Images)

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