Published Feb 4, 2026, 3:35 PM EST
Gina is a passionate writer who enjoys covering pop culture topics like music, film, and television. She has a BFA in Screen Studies from The New School and completed a Film & TV Course with Yellowbrick and NYU Tisch School Of The Arts. She is also a diehard Swiftie and an avid fan of all music genres.
After his Grammy Album of the Year win, Bad Bunny is continuing his streak with the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. The Puerto Rican singer is beloved in the industry, especially by those from his home.
In recent years, producers have prioritized bringing in more diverse performers to represent America, and Bad Bunny will continue that tradition. While the halftime show will likely be a much-talked-about event again, it wasn't always that way.
The Halftime Show Was Not Initially A Big Production
While the halftime show might be some people's favorite part of the Super Bowl these days, there was a time when it was only a minor aspect of the game. From the 60s through the 80s, the halftime show wasn't much to tune in for. It typically consisted of a college marching band and maybe a singer or two.
In 1972, Ella Fitzgerald performed at the halftime show alongside actress Carol Channing and trumpeter Al Hirt. It was a part of a tribute to Louis Armstrong, who had died the summer before. However, by the 90s, the Super Bowl halftime show would become a major production that continues to steal the spotlight from the players today.
Did Michael Jackson Change The Halftime Show Game?
In 1993, Michael Jackson turned the halftime show into a twelve-minute production. It was like a mini Michael Jackson concert, which had never been seen before at the Super Bowl. Jackson opened with "Jam," transitioning into "Billie Jean."
He then graced the crowd with "Black or White" and ended with an uplifting message of love and unity, performing "We Are The World." The superstar is often credited as the one to change the halftime show game forever. However, there were also a few other contributions.
In 1991, The Walt Disney Company produced the halftime show, and Walt Disney World sponsored it. New Kids On The Block were the main performers to honor 25 years of the Super Bowl. In front of a recreation of Disneyland's Small World ride, the group sang "Step by Step" and "This One's for the Children."
It was clear from that moment that the halftime show would never be the same. The following year, one year before Michael Jackson's performance, Gloria Estefan took the stage to sing "Live for Loving You" and "Get on Your Feet" to celebrate the beginning of the 1991 Winter Olympics.
The Super Bowl continued to mainly feature multiple acts after Jackson, but by the 2000s, having one main performer became the norm. While there have been countless memorable performers throughout the years, Jackson will always be remembered as the one who did it first.
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