The Super Bowl LX halftime show wasn’t just a spectacle of music and dance; it was the setting for a genuine wedding. Eleisa “Elli” Aparicio and Thomas “Tommy” Wolter exchanged vows on stage during Bad Bunny’s performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on , in front of an estimated 128 million television viewers.
The couple, from the Los Angeles area, initially extended an invitation to Bad Bunny to attend their wedding. Instead, the Puerto Rican superstar offered them a wedding venue unlike any other. The performance served as an extravagant 13-minute tribute to Bad Bunny’s homeland, with the ceremony taking place about five minutes into the set.
A smiling officiant presided over the nuptials in a small plaza constructed on the field. Following the exchange of vows, Aparicio and Wolter shared a kiss surrounded by dancers and musicians. The moment seamlessly transitioned into a performance by Lady Gaga and Los Sobrinos, a Puerto Rican salsa band known for their collaborations with Bad Bunny, who launched into Gaga’s “Die With a Smile.” Bad Bunny then joined them to perform his hit “Baile Inolvidable” (Unforgettable Dance).
A representative for Bad Bunny confirmed the authenticity of the wedding, though initially declined to name the bride and groom. The artist also served as an official witness to the marriage, signing the couple’s marriage certificate. A wedding cake was also present, further solidifying the event’s legitimacy.
Aparicio and Wolter’s story began to unfold publicly in the wake of the performance, with details emerging through news reports and social media investigations. The couple celebrated their one-year anniversary as a couple in . Wolter, 32, became a registered nurse in and later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University, Fullerton.
Aparicio is a graduate of Covina High School, where she played basketball for at least three seasons, according to a former coach who spoke with the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Wolter documented his relationship with Aparicio on social media, sharing a carousel of photos on , marking their first anniversary. He wrote, “You have made this … the best year of my life without a doubt. I can’t wait for what we have in store for our future.”
That future included an October 2024 proposal in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Aparicio shared her acceptance of the proposal on social media, writing, “If I could say yes a million times more, I would.”
Following the Super Bowl performance, Aparicio expressed her joy on social media, stating, “My heart is so full. This experience has been nothing short of amazing.” Wolter echoed her sentiments, writing, “An unforgettable dance with the love of my life. Cannot thank [Bad Bunny] enough for this beautiful opportunity of a lifetime.”
The wedding wasn’t merely a publicity stunt; it was a deeply personal moment amplified by a global stage. Bad Bunny’s decision to incorporate the couple’s nuptials into his halftime show underscored the performance’s overarching theme of unity and love, culminating in a billboard that read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” The gesture resonated with audiences, adding an unexpected and heartwarming layer to an already memorable Super Bowl performance.
The inclusion of the wedding also sparked some discussion regarding a separate, symbolic gesture within the show. Bad Bunny presented a Grammy Award to a young boy, a moment some fans interpreted as a nod to Liam Ramos, a five-year-old boy recently detained by ICE in Minneapolis. However, a source confirmed to ESPN that the child was an actor and not Ramos.
Beyond the wedding and the symbolic gesture, Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture, featuring performances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and appearances by notable figures such as actors Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba, and influencer Alix Earle at Bad Bunny’s “La Casita.” The show’s success further cements Bad Bunny’s status as a global music icon and a cultural force.
