Influencer Faces Backlash for Skipping Bad Bunny's Historic Super Bowl Performance
Sports betting influencer Amanda Vance has ignited a social media firestorm after claiming she lost more than 1,000 Instagram followers within minutes of posting a video showing herself ignoring Bad Bunny's halftime performance at Super Bowl 2026. The controversial incident occurred at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where Vance was physically present for the game but chose not to watch the main event.
The Controversial Social Media Posts
Amanda Vance, who boasts over 538,000 Instagram followers and more than 72,000 on X (formerly Twitter), shared a clip from the stadium stands showing herself dancing with wired headphones on while watching Turning Point USA's alternative halftime program on her phone. The conservative organization's parallel event featured headliner Kid Rock along with country artists Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Lee Brice.
In her Instagram caption, Vance wrote: "Watching the American halftime show instead of BAD bunny during the Super Bowl," adding, "I chose America and songs I know." She later posted on X about the immediate consequences: "Lost 1k followers in 2 minutes on Instagram because i didn't watch bad bunny's halftime performance."
Swift Backlash and Cultural Debate
The post drew immediate criticism, with television personality and influencer Kat Dunn responding in the comments: "Puerto Rico is in America by the way." Dunn later revealed she had unfollowed Vance, calling the move "performative" in a detailed X post where she shared screenshots of alleged abusive direct messages, including one that read: "I hope ICE deports you."
This controversy unfolded against the backdrop of significant cultural discussion surrounding Bad Bunny's groundbreaking halftime performance. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican star, Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2025, made history by becoming the first musician to perform entirely in Spanish at a Super Bowl halftime show.
Bad Bunny's Historic Performance
Bad Bunny's 14-minute set was a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture, featuring appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, with cameos from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba. The performance highlighted the island's cuisine, fashion, and artistic heritage while delivering a broader message of unity across the Americas.
The six-time Grammy winner spoke in English just once during the show, looking directly into the camera to say, "God Bless America." He concluded the performance holding a football emblazoned with the message: "Together, we are America." Bad Bunny has previously spoken out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), making him a polarizing figure among some conservative commentators.
Political Reactions and Cultural Divide
Former US President Donald Trump criticized the halftime show on Truth Social, calling it "absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!" He described the set as "an affront to the Greatness of America" and complained that "nobody understands a word this guy is saying." Boxer and social media personality Jake Paul also voiced similar criticisms online.
Meanwhile, supporters praised the show for its cultural significance and inclusive messaging, arguing that it reflected the diversity of American audiences and the growing global influence of Latin music. The incident involving Amanda Vance has become a microcosm of these broader cultural and political divisions, demonstrating how entertainment choices can spark significant social media consequences in today's digitally connected world.
