Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known to the world as Bad Bunny, has taken the stage in Puerto Rico during his latest shows, not just as a performer, but as a hometown hero. The superstar has been making headlines for a historic residency that has turned the island’s largest arena into a center of celebration, nostalgia, and cultural pride.
“This is so far my best experience in music. Maybe in life,” Bad Bunny told Today in a recent interview. “What is happening right now in San Juan in that arena is something magical.”
Originally announced on January 13, 2025, his residency, titled 'No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí: Residencia en el Choli', was set for 21 shows. But overwhelming demand pushed it to 30 sold-out performances, spanning from July 11 to September 14.
Over 400,000 tickets vanished within just four hours of release. For Bad Bunny, it’s not just a concert series, but also a love letter to the island that raised him. “It’s such a pleasure to show my culture, my country, my land, there, right there in my house,” he said.
While the music celebration continues in San Juan, Bad Bunny’s ambitions are also taking place in Hollywood. The global icon is stepping into a new role, one far from the stadiums and screaming fans, as this fall, he stars in 'Caught Stealing,' a crime drama from Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky.
Taking on the character of a Puerto Rican gangster named Colorado, he shares the screen with Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Griffin Dunne, and Action Bronson.
“I could say that I was a little nervous, because I have to show what I can do,” he admitted during his interview. “All people in this room are, like, huge actors. I have to do my best to be at their level.”
Despite his global fame, Bad Bunny speaks about acting with honesty. “For sure. It’s something that I, since I was a kid, I really liked to act, and it was part of one of my dreams,” he said. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s been gradually exploring the craft, from a cameo as a caddie in 'Happy Gilmore 2' to a brief role in the 2022 action film 'Bullet Train.'
“When I’m performing in the stadium, everyone is watching me,” he explained. “When you are in a movie set, it’s very personal. It’s like me and the actors. You know that there’s a camera, but sometimes you forget about [it]. I think that’s when you really get into the role and get into the scene and get into the story.”
Even as his acting star rises, Bad Bunny’s career remains deeply rooted in Puerto Rico. In 'Debí tirar más fotos,' the album released on January 5, 2025, just days before the residency announcement, he fused reggaeton with traditional island rhythms like salsa, bomba, and plena.
The essence of this chapter in Bad Bunny’s life includes returning home, on his terms, while dreaming even bigger. “Enjoy what I’m doing now, but never forget where that dream started,” he told Today. “Put your energy on something that you really want to, and give your best. That’s what life is about.”