The Secret Life of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Bushes
In one of the most visually striking moments of Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny's halftime performance featured a stunning backdrop of swaying, dancing bushes. What most viewers didn't realize was that these weren't props or special effects—they were 500 actual performers who underwent an extraordinary process to bring the Puerto Rican rapper's vision to life.
The Rigorous Selection Process
According to television program producer Stuart Brazell, who recently detailed the production on her YouTube channel, these "sugarcane performers" were selected from a staggering pool of 40,000 applicants. The job was highly coveted, with specific physical requirements that narrowed the field considerably.
Andrew Athias, one of the performers who spoke to Business Insider, revealed the exacting standards: "We had to be between 5'7" and 6' tall with athletic builds. The costume alone weighed over 40 pounds, and we needed to be comfortable dancing in close proximity to other performers for extended periods."
Intense Preparation and Strict Protocols
The performers underwent eight grueling rehearsal sessions, each lasting twelve hours. They were provided with protective goggles to prevent plastic grass from getting into their eyes during the performance. Perhaps most notably, every performer had to sign a non-disclosure agreement prohibiting them from discussing the show or posting about it on social media for two weeks following the Super Bowl.
Athias described the surreal experience of telling loved ones beforehand: "I told them, 'You're going to see me. You just didn't know that you saw me.'"
The Puerto Rican Aesthetic
Bad Bunny, a six-time Grammy winner, specifically wanted to incorporate elements of Puerto Rican culture into his halftime show. The 380 performers dressed as sugarcane grass created an authentic backdrop that paid homage to the island's agricultural heritage. In 1952, Puerto Rico cultivated 12.5 million tons of sugarcane across more than 400,000 acres, processing over 1 million tons of raw sugar at 34 mills and seven refineries.
Brazell explained the creative direction given to performers: "They were told not to move because 'you don't get wind in Puerto Rico.'" Athias confirmed this instruction in a social media post, writing: "We were told to not move because 'there's no wind in Puerto Rico.'"
Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life
Instagram user Nikolai (handle "vicivoli") shared a revealing "GRWM to the halftime show w Bad Bunny AS A BUSH" reel that offered unprecedented insight into the performers' experience. His day began at 7 AM with morning chores, followed by a quick snack at a local restaurant thirty minutes later.
At 8 AM, an Uber transported him to an undisclosed location where performers donned green sweatshirts and sweatpants. Remarkably, Nikolai spotted 16-time Grammy-winning artist Lady Gaga at the check-in counter. By 11 AM, a bus transported the group to Levi's Stadium for the performance.
His video, which has garnered over 2.5 million likes, included snippets of Bad Bunny's entrance with the bush people in the background and performers taking selfies backstage. Nikolai finally returned home at 8 PM after a marathon day.
Social Media Reactions
The revelation that the bushes were actual performers sparked enthusiastic responses across social media platforms. One Instagram user inquired, "How would one possibly apply for a job like this?" while another expressed, "I was so waiting for a bush to make a video!!"
Instagram's official account commented, "How does it feel to live our dream," capturing the widespread fascination with this unique performance role. Other users shared nostalgic and appreciative responses:
- "And my kindergarten teacher told me I couldn't be a tree when I grow up and to choose something more realistic."
- "THIS IS THE CONTENT WE GO ON THE INTERNET TO SEE!!!!! Thank you for making this!!!!"
- "Y'all had a very important job and killed it."
- "There are no small roles! The bushes killed it."
Logistical Challenges
The production faced significant logistical constraints at Levi's Stadium, which has natural grass and only permits 25 large carts on the field for halftime show construction. This limitation made the human-powered bushes not just an artistic choice but a practical solution for creating the desired visual effect within strict time and space parameters.
The performers, including Athias, were compensated at a rate of $18.70 per hour for their work—a detail that adds another dimension to understanding the scale and professionalism behind what might have appeared to casual viewers as simple background elements.
This behind-the-scenes look reveals how Bad Bunny's halftime show combined cultural authenticity, creative vision, and remarkable human effort to create one of the most memorable Super Bowl performances in recent history.
