At Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny didn’t just perform; he created a masterclass in how community and "peer support" can sustain a person through the most intense moments of their life.
While we often view peer support in clinical or small-group settings, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio’s performance demonstrated how these principles work on the world's biggest stage.
Here is what his show can teach us about the power of standing together.
One of the most moving parts of the show was the appearance of Ricky Martin.
Martin, a Puerto Rican legend who paved the way for Latin artists decades ago, joined Bad Bunny for a rendition of “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.”
In peer support, we often talk about the value of someone who has "walked the path before." Martin wasn't just a guest; he was a mentor figure showing that the pressures of global stardom can be survived and mastered.
This reminds us that peer support isn't just about people your own age, it’s about finding those who have lived through your specific struggles and can offer the wisdom of experience.
Bad Bunny’s set was designed to look like a tour of Puerto Rico, featuring a casita (little house), a piragua (shaved ice) cart, and even elders playing dominoes.
He surrounded himself with icons of his community, including actors Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba, and rapper Cardi B, who were "vibing" in the background of the set.
By bringing his community onto the stage, he transformed a cold, intimidating NFL stadium into a "brave space" that felt like home.
In peer support, we know that environment matters. When we surround ourselves with people who share our language, culture, and values (as Bad Bunny did by performing primarily in Spanish) we feel safer to take risks and be our authentic selves.
The performance included a "real-life wedding" on stage, which Bad Bunny personally witnessed and signed the certificate for.
This moment of intimate, human connection in the middle of a 100-million-viewer spectacle was a profound statement on vulnerability.
Peer support is built on the idea that we don't have to be "on" or "perfect" all the time.
By centering a wedding (a moment of raw, human commitment) Bad Bunny reminded us that even in the middle of a "career-defining" performance, life's most important moments are about the people we love.
He wasn't just a solo act; he was a witness to someone else's joy.
In a poignant interlude, a video of Bad Bunny’s Grammy acceptance speech played, where he spoke about being human and choosing love over hate. He then handed his actual Grammy trophy to a young Latino boy on stage.
This act of "passing the torch" is a core tenet of peer support. It’s about telling the next person, "I believe in you," and "You belong here."
Support isn't just about helping someone in a crisis; it’s about empowering them to see their own potential.
By giving his trophy away, Bad Bunny showed that his success wasn't a solitary prize to be hoarded, but a shared milestone for his entire community.
As the show ended, Bad Bunny listed various nations, from Uruguay to Canada, and held up a football that read, "Together, we are America."
He moved the focus away from his individual stardom and toward a collective identity. Peer support teaches us that our struggles and successes are linked.
When Bad Bunny stood atop an electrical pole—a nod to the blackouts in Puerto Rico—he was signaling that we are all responsible for helping one another find solutions to the "darkness" in our communities.
Bad Bunny’s Half-Time show was a 13-minute reminder that no one gets to the top alone.
Whether it’s having a "Ricky Martin" to guide you, a "Cardi B" to celebrate with you, or a community to build a "casita" for you, peer support is the fuel that allows us to shine.
The next time you feel overwhelmed by the "stadium lights" of your own life, remember: you don't have to be the solo headliner.
Look to your peers, share your stage, and remember that "the only thing more powerful than hate is love."
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If you’re looking to build a gentle reflection habit, you might also like The FREE Front-Line Worker’s Guide to Managing Overthinking.
Until next time. I’m Jeff, and remember to take care of yourself, however that looks to you.