Bethenny Frankel is defending Bad Bunny after her former costar Jill Zarin shared her own, less-than-positive assessment of the Puerto Rican rapper’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show performance.
“So my take on Bad Bunny and his performance at the Super Bowl is that he is an artist expressing himself, his music and his experience as a Puerto Rican man in America,” Frankel, 55, shared via TikTok on Monday, February 9. “If it’s a country artist, they are expressing their experience and their music and their culture. If it’s a hip hop artist — I love Notorious B.I.G. and talking about his come up and what he couldn’t afford when he was eating Sardines for dinner.”
According to the former Real Housewives of New York City star, Bad Bunny can express himself whatever way he wants.
“Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican man in America on the largest stage in the world, which is very inspirational to people because that is him expressing his experience in his first language,” she explained. “Madonna said it best: Express yourself.”
One of the most talked-about and widely covered halftime performances in Super Bowl history took place this Sunday, February 8. “Qué rico es ser latino,” Bad Bunny declared at the very start of the show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. What followed were 13 minutes filled with symbolism, history, folklore and flavor — […]
Frankel’s point of view comes after her former Real Housewives of New York City costar Jill Zarin made headlines for her critical view of Bad Bunny’s performance.
“It was the worst halftime show ever,” Zarin, 62, said in a since-deleted video later reposted via X by a fan. “I just don’t think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish, and, quite frankly … grabbing his G [groin] area … I think it was totally inappropriate. You’ve got all these young kids watching the Super Bowl, and he doesn’t have to be grabbing himself every five seconds because he’s so insecure. Seriously.”
Zarin also made a point that she doesn’t speak Spanish and “I would’ve liked to have known the words he was saying.”
During Monday’s episode of SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Andy Cohen was asked about the controversial post from Zarin.
“In terms of Jill, I don’t know,” he shared before referencing her upcoming reality show on a network other than Bravo. “Call E!”
Reviews aside, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show featured plenty of surprises, including unexpected appearances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Karol G, Alix Earle and Cardi B.
The joyous and high-energy affair celebrated the island of Puerto Rico, where he was born, and its place in the American story.
During the show, the Grammy winner wore pieces created by Zara — a retailer that was first launched in Spain in 1975 — and jewelry, including a Desert diamond by designer Marvin Douglas.
“Thank you Benito for including me in this powerful, important and meaningful performance,” Lady Gaga, 39, wrote via Instagram on Monday. “ I am so humbled to be a part of this moment. It’s all the more special because it was with you and your beautiful heart and music. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
She added, “All my love to Benito, Ricky and the whole cast. Thank you to @chloeandchenelle and @luar for my beautiful styling and fashion ❤️ All of your talent and love made that beautiful dress come to life.”