by Sean Markland

The most recent Super Bowl gave fans two very different ways to spend their halftime. On the actual  field, the NFL featured Bad Bunny, bringing a massive party atmosphere to the stadium. At the same time, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) hosted their own All-American Halftime Show streamed on YouTube.

The two couldn’t have been more different, offering a completely different style of music and message. TPUSA offered it for those looking for an alternative to the main broadcast.

Bad Bunny’s show was all about energy, family, and Latin culture. He turned the football field into a giant party, singing his biggest hits in while bringing out famous guests like Lady Gaga and Cardi B. The show used bright lights and hundreds of dancers to celebrate South American pride.

It was designed to feel like a global celebration that everyone could dance to, focusing on modern pop Spanish music. A notable message Bad Bunny wanted to present was, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” while singing is most recent hit and walking off the field. 

The TPUSA show took a much more traditional approach, focusing on country music and rock. Instead of pop stars, they featured artists like Kid Rock and Lee Brice who performed songs about American life and what freedom meant to them. The stage was decorated with flags, and the performances were simpler and more straightforward. This show was created for people who prefer classic American music styles and wanted a program that focused on patriotic themes rather than a modern pop.

At Bellbrook High School, the halftime debate with students showing a clear split between the two performances. In a random sampling of 50 students during study hall, the poll skewed toward the official Super Bowl show. A total of 34 students chose Bad Bunny. On the other hand, 16 students preferred the TPUSA All-American show. While the majority of students were all about the scheduled show, the smaller group of supporters for the alternative show valued the more traditional, country music driven performances