Bad Bunny's bilingual monologue that shook SNL and the US
Bad Bunny shined on SNL with his role as Quico and launched a viral message: “If you didn't understand, you have four months to learn.”
Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash
During the premiere of season 51 of Saturday Night LivePuerto Rican Bad Bunny delivered a bilingual monologue laden with cultural symbolism and political defiance. In his opening remarks, he celebrated his selection as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer and delivered a satirical homage to the Mexican classic. The Chavo del Ocho, playing the character Quico in a sketch full of humorous references.
His monologue switched from English to Spanish as a deliberate act of identity affirmation. In Spanish, he said:
“Especially all Latinos and Latinas… our mark and our contribution in this country will never be erased or removed.”
Then, with an ironic but firm tone, he launched a phrase that has already gone viral:
“If you didn't understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
The sketch of The Chavo del Ocho It was one of the most talked-about sections of the night. In it, Bad Bunny blended satire and nostalgia: by portraying Quico—with his iconic suit and exaggerated gestures—he created a bridge between traditional Latin culture and his own modern artistic persona.
At all times, Bad Bunny's approach was clear: not to adapt to the tastes or cultural demands of critics, but to consolidate his Latin American voice within the American scene. This was evident in his tone against those who question the idea of a Spanish-speaking artist headlining one of the most-watched events in the country.
ICE at Bad Bunny's NFL concert
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that ICE will have a visible presence at the 2026 Super Bowl, stating that it will be part of the event's security operation: "We'll see agents all over the place... we're going to enforce the law." Her stance was accompanied by strong criticism of the NFL for choosing Bad Bunny as its halftime show host and warnings to those who attend the event without meeting the qualifications of "law-abiding citizens."
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