gridironheroics.com

“That’s Horrible” Bad Bunny Under Massive Scrutiny For How Little His Performers Were Paid,…

Super Bowl 60’s Halftime show has been one of the most talked about off-the-field topics for weeks now. Many praised his performance, calling it a “huge party” on the field. However, the amount that some of the performers were paid has been leaked to the public, and it doesn’t look good.

Bad Bunny’s “Human Bushes” from Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show Paid Just $1,309 Each – Report Reveals Low Compensation for 500 Performers

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Bad Bunny performs during the Half Time show in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Bad Bunny performs during the Half Time show in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

While Bad Bunny delivered a historic, primarily Spanish-language halftime performance at Super Bowl LX (Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over New England Patriots), a new report highlights the surprisingly modest pay for one of the show’s most unique elements: the “human bushes.”

According to reporting from Complex (cited in Total Pro Sports and other outlets), the 500 performers dressed as bushes/trees on the field were paid $18.70 per hour—California minimum wage at the time—for a total of 70 hours of work. This included eight days of rehearsals plus game day, resulting in $1,309 per person.

I can FINALLY let the cat out of the bag….or the grass

I flew all the way from Philly to be grass in the Bad Bunny halftime show 🌿

AMA pic.twitter.com/HQROAJtC4K

— The Reese’s Guy⁷ (@AndrewAthias) February 9, 2026

Key Details on the “Human Bushes” Performers

These weren’t static props; actual people were inside the foliage costumes (weighing around 40 pounds each in some reports), executing structured movements and blocking.

Job listings required applicants to be 5’10” to 6’1” tall with a slender/athletic build; marching arts background preferred.

Participants initially speculated they might portray sharks or frogs before learning they were trees/bushes.

Viral post-show clips showed the “bushes” walking off the field, sparking fan surprise and memes.

One participant, José Villanueva (a Bad Bunny superfan), told NBC:

“My theory was that we were gonna be sharks… And then we just see this bush moving, and we’re like, ‘What?’ And they go, ‘Nah, you guys are gonna be trees.’”

He also described the field experience:

“You get a view if you’re in the stands… But being on the field is something totally different… I wanted to cry, but I was holding in the tears.”

Another performer shared on social media:

“I can FINALLY let the cat out of the bag….or the grass I flew all the way from Philly to be grass in the Bad Bunny halftime show 🌿 AMA”

Bad Bunny’s Own Compensation

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A dancer performs during the halftime show in Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Multiple sources (including E! News, People, Forbes archives, and USA Today) confirm Bad Bunny performed the 13-15 minute set for free, following long-standing NFL tradition.

Headliners receive no traditional fee beyond union minimum scale (around $1,000/day under SAG-AFTRA rules) and covered expenses/production costs. The exposure (over 128 million halftime viewers) and prestige are considered the real “paycheck.”

Reactions and Context

The low pay for the bush performers has sparked online discussion, with some calling it “shocking” or exploitative given the Super Bowl’s scale and the demanding role. Others note it’s standard for background/extra work in large productions. The bushes added a unique, organic element to Bad Bunny’s culturally rich set (live wedding, Latin flags, guest appearances like Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga), which earned strong critical praise despite in-stadium disengagement in some viral clips.

This report adds another layer to Super Bowl 60’s post-game buzz, from viewership numbers (124.9 million overall, down slightly from 2025) to entertainment controversies. The “human bushes” moment has become one of the show’s most memorable quirks.