Influencer Films Herself 'Not Watching' Bad Bunny at Super Bowl 2026 — Loses 1,000 Followers in 2 Minutes As Backlash Explodes

A viral social media post showing an influencer deliberately ignoring Bad Bunny's Super Bowl 2026 half-time performance sparked a wave of backlash and rapid loss of followers, revealing deeper cultural tensions underpinning this year's most-watched entertainment event. Public reaction to Bad Bunny's headline slot has been polarised, with millions celebrating the Puerto Rican artist's cultural impact while some critics complained about language, identity, and patriotism.

Amid that divide, a single Instagram video has rapidly become a flashpoint for broader debates about identity, entertainment, and audience expectations.

The Video That Sparked the Backlash

On 8 February 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny performed as the headline act for the NFL's Super Bowl LX halftime show to an estimated global audience of over 135 million viewers. His performance, delivered entirely in Spanish, celebrated Puerto Rican culture and featured cinematic visuals, surprise guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and a unifying message proclaiming that 'the only thing more powerful than hate is love'.

Shortly thereafter, influencer Amanda Vance published an Instagram video filmed at the event in which she watched an alternative half-time broadcast on her phone rather than Bad Bunny's live performance. The video, captioned 'I chose America and songs I know', showed Vance dancing to a separate broadcast produced by Turning Point USA and headlined by artists such as Kid Rock.

Within two minutes of posting, Vance claimed she lost 1,000 followers on Instagram, prompting a cascade of critical response across multiple social media platforms. Television personality Kat Dunn openly rebuked Vance by publicly unfollowing her and pointing out that Puerto Rico is part of the US, highlighting the cultural sensitivity around the choice Vance made.

The speed of the unfollowing episode underscores the polarised nature of online audiences and the reputational risks public figures face when commenting on culturally significant events. Some observers interpreted Vance's video as performative opposition rather than genuine entertainment preference.

Bad Bunny's Historic Performance

Bad Bunny's performance was unprecedented in the history of the Super Bowl. The decision to deliver a fully Spanish-language set was celebrated by many as a significant milestone for Latinx representation in American pop culture. Celebrities including Kacey Musgraves, Kerry Washington, and Camila Cabello shared praise on social media, with many emphasising the message of unity and cultural pride.

Meanwhile, the show ignited debate among conservative commentators and some sports fans. Influencer and entertainer Jake Paul publicly criticised Bad Bunny, asserting that viewers should boycott the performance and declaring the artist a 'fake American citizen'. His comments prompted rebukes from figures including his own brother, Logan Paul, who pointed out that Puerto Ricans are American citizens because Puerto Rico is a US territory.

This exchange crystallised a wider discussion about national identity and cultural representation at one of the most significant entertainment moments in the world.

The Aftermath

In the wake of the backlash, Vance has remained publicly defiant about her decision, framing her video as an expression of personal preference. However, the rapid loss of followers and ensuing criticism highlight the risks public figures face when their content intersects with sensitive cultural moments.

Supporters of Bad Bunny's performance have used the incident to emphasise the value of inclusive cultural moments and the importance of representation on major entertainment stages. They argue that celebrations of diverse identities should be embraced as part of broader cultural storytelling, particularly within events that command global attention.

The debate is likely to extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the Super Bowl, shaping future conversations about cultural representation, media influence, and the responsibilities of influencers in engaging with major public spectacles.

Vance's two-minute unfollow tally may be a small data point in the context of millions of viewers, but it underscores the potent mix of entertainment, identity politics, and social media reaction in the digital era.