Puerto Rican Performer to Make History at Super Bowl Halftime Show

Celimar Rivera Cosme, a talented performer from Puerto Rico who is partially deaf, is all set to take center stage during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. She is gearing up to not only make history but also bring attention to the Puerto Rican deaf community during this major musical event. Rivera Cosme will be leading a ‘multilingual signing program’ using LSPR, or Puerto Rican Sign Language, which is distinct from American Sign Language due to its unique grammar, rhythm, and cultural nuances, stemming from the rich history of the Puerto Rican deaf community.

In a historic first, the signed rendition of the Apple Music Halftime Show will feature a multilingual signing program incorporating Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by Deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme, the NFL announced in a press release.

Speaking through an interpreter in Spanish, Rivera Cosme expressed her excitement to ABC News before this groundbreaking performance, saying, I feel incredibly proud because everything that Bad Bunny is doing is making history. And it means that sign language is also going to make history there. She emphasized the significance of highlighting that the Puerto Rican deaf community has its own language, identity, and culture.

Rivera Cosme is renowned for her expressive and performance-driven sign language interpretation style, which effectively combines storytelling, rhythm, and passion to mirror the intensity of live music shows. She, along with LSPR, will grace one of the largest entertainment platforms in the world to showcase this talent. Rivera Cosme made it clear that her role is not merely to interpret but to deliver a performance routine of her own.

Interpretation is one thing, but I’m not going there to interpret, I’m going to perform, Rivera Cosme stated. She noted that in Puerto Rico, interpreters are commonly seen, but the Super Bowl requires a different approach, demanding a unique blend of flow, vibe, style, and attitude in addition to the interpretation. She recalled the surprise and honor she felt upon receiving the call from the NFL, choosing her for this prestigious role, and expressed her desire to shine along with the Puerto Rican deaf community.

Rivera Cosme has experience interpreting for Bad Bunny, having participated in his 2022 World’s Hottest Tour where she gained significant recognition. She also performed during Bad Bunny’s El Choli residency in Puerto Rico, an event that celebrated Puerto Rican identity and attracted over 400,000 fans. Reflecting on the upcoming Super Bowl performance, she acknowledged the significance of representing Puerto Rican Sign Language on such a grand stage.

An NFL announcement detailed the inclusive nature of the Super Bowl entertainment, indicating that fans who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to watch both the Super Bowl LX Pregame Ceremony and the halftime show. This will be accessible through a dedicated stream that features performances in ASL and LSPR, available across various digital platforms.