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By Suzanne Blake
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Turning Point USA will unveil its own version of the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday, February 8.
The lineup includes performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert and Lee Brice as the conservative organization aims to be an alternative source to the official Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny.
Why It Matters
Bad Bunny’s selection to headline the NFL's Super Bowl Halftime Show comes hot on the heels of a massive year for the 31-year-old, who was born and raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Long credited with helping to popularize Spanish-language rap music, last year he released his seventh album and completed a historic 30-date residency in San Juan.
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The Super Bowl Halftime Show is a massive cultural event and generally draws more than 100 million viewers, providing mass global exposure for artists.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and previously spoke out about avoiding U.S. performances due to concerns over ICE raids. That he will perform at the Super Bowl on one of the world's most prominent cultural stages has thus sparked conversation. Bad Bunny sings in Spanish and has called his upcoming Super Bowl show a victory for “my people, my culture, and our history.”
Meanwhile, Turning Point USA, founded by activist Charlie Kirk who was assassinated last year, is bringing on several performers in hopes of competing with Bad Bunny's show. Kid Rock, who will be one of the main performers, has vocally supported Trump, whereas Gilbert and Brice are up-and-coming country stars.
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What To Know
So far, Kid Rock, Gilbert and Brice have been announced as performers in the Turning Point USA Halftime Show. Former American Idol contestant Gabby Barrett, who is known for her country hit “I Hope,” has also been announced as part of the lineup.
"We're approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible…or is it?" Kid Rock said in a statement.
He has also expressed his distaste for Bad Bunny, adding in his statement, “He's said he's having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.”
Turning Point USA decided to organize the event after Bad Bunny’s selection sparked controversy.
One Change.org petition to get Bad Bunny, who was the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify last year, replaced by country music legend George Strait got hundreds of thousands of signatures last year.
Turning Point USA's Halftime Show is described as an "All-American Half-time Show" that brings "faith, family, and freedom.”
"The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom," Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said in a statement. "We set out to provide an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game. These performers will deliver exactly that, and we can’t wait to watch the incredible show they’re about to put on. We know millions around the country will be watching too."
To watch, Turning Point USA will stream their Halftime Show directly on their social channels, and a few conservative networks, including Real America’s Voice and OAN, will do so as well.
What People Are Saying
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said previously of Bad Bunny's selection: “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us and an important element to the entertainment value.”
Robby Starbuck, a conservative social media activist and former music video director, wrote in an X post in September: “Is it that hard to pick a unifying music act who doesn’t want to peddle woke propaganda? Does this guy really scream American football to anyone? Be for real with me. No one thinks he does. This isn’t about music, it’s about putting a guy on stage who hates Trump and MAGA.”
Bad Bunny said during his opening monologue of Saturday Night Live last year: "I'm very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy. Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the world, and here, in the United States, all those who have worked to open doors. It’s more than an achievement for myself, it’s an achievement for all of us. It shows our footprint, and our contribution to this country, that no one will ever be able to take away or erase."
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