ST.Carrie Underwood Voices Frustration as NFL Picks Bad Bunny Over Country Stars for Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
When the NFL officially announced that Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in 2026, millions of fans around the globe cheered. The Puerto Rican megastar is set to bring reggaeton and Latin trap to the most-watched music stage in the world, marking a historic first.
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But not everyone in the music world is celebrating. According to industry chatter, Carrie Underwood, one of country music’s biggest voices and a longtime NFL partner, may not be thrilled with the decision. Reports suggest the “Before He Cheats” singer feels that country music is once again being sidelined in favor of flashier, more globally mainstream acts.
Carrie Underwood’s History With the NFL
Carrie isn’t just any country artist. For more than a decade, she has performed the opening theme for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Her voice is synonymous with the NFL season itself, making her an integral part of the football-viewing experience for millions of fans.
Despite this strong connection, Carrie has never been given the honor of headlining a Super Bowl Halftime Show. For country fans, this feels like a glaring oversight.
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“It’s shocking,” one fan tweeted. “Carrie has done so much for football. Why does the NFL never give country music its moment at the Super Bowl?”
Why Bad Bunny, Not Country?
The NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny reflects a broader trend: leaning into global acts with massive crossover appeal. In recent years, halftime shows have moved away from traditional American pop and rock toward more diverse genres.
The 2022 hip-hop ensemble (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige) was widely praised. Rihanna’s 2023 pregnancy reveal halftime moment broke internet records. Now, Bad Bunny is set to represent Latin music on the biggest stage of all.
From the NFL’s perspective, this choice makes sense. Latin music streaming has skyrocketed worldwide, and Bad Bunny consistently ranks as one of Spotify’s most-streamed artists. Still, the decision raises questions: where does this leave country music?
Carrie’s Reported Frustration
Though Carrie has not publicly commented, insiders claim she has expressed disappointment in private. “She feels country music has been left out of the conversation for too long,” one source revealed. “There are millions of country fans who love football, yet their music never gets highlighted on the sport’s biggest night.”
Carrie is not alone in this sentiment. Other country stars, like Luke Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, have also been floated by fans as deserving halftime contenders. Still, none have made it to the main stage.
The Broader Country Music Dilemma
This isn’t the first time the NFL has been accused of ignoring country music. While the genre thrives at award shows and tours, it rarely gets the same spotlight in mainstream global events. Critics argue that the NFL, which heavily markets to Southern and Midwestern audiences, is overlooking the very demographic that makes up much of its core fanbase.
“Country music is America’s backbone,” one fan wrote on Facebook. “It’s time the NFL recognized that on the world’s biggest stage.”
Could Carrie Ever Get Her Chance?
Despite the frustration, Carrie remains a strong candidate for a future halftime show. Her powerful vocals, crossover appeal, and NFL ties make her an obvious choice. The question is whether the league is ready to give country music its long-overdue spotlight.
Some speculate that if the backlash continues, the NFL may feel pressured to rotate genres more evenly in upcoming years. “Imagine Carrie Underwood headlining in Nashville if the city ever hosts the Super Bowl,” one analyst suggested. “That would be history-making.”
Fans React Online
As news of Bad Bunny’s halftime slot spread, fans voiced their opinions online. Hashtags like #CarrieDeservesHalftime and #CountryMusicMatters began trending among country loyalists.
One viral post read: “Carrie Underwood has been the NFL’s voice for years, but when it comes to the halftime show, she’s invisible. Make it make sense.”
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity, or Just Bad Timing?
The NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny is undeniably historic and aligns with the league’s effort to expand globally. But it also reignites a longstanding debate: Is country music being unfairly sidelined?
Carrie Underwood’s reported frustration taps into a deeper issue that won’t go away anytime soon. Whether she speaks out publicly or remains silent, her fans are already making noise for her.
As one fan summed it up: “Bad Bunny will crush it, no doubt. But the Super Bowl without Carrie Underwood still feels incomplete.”
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