Booker’s Super Bowl Snub: A Subtle Jab at Bad Bunny?
NBA superstar Devin Booker has seemingly thrown a subtle barb in the direction of global music sensation Bad Bunny, claiming he “didn’t watch” the Puerto Rican artist’s recent Super Bowl halftime performance. This latest exchange adds another layer to the ongoing, albeit low-key, rivalry between the two high-profile figures, both of whom have had past romantic entanglements with supermodel Kendall Jenner.
The tension between Booker and Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, first surfaced publicly earlier this year. Bad Bunny, in his collaboration track ‘Coco Chanel’ with rapper Eladio Carrion, included lyrics that appeared to reference Booker and his former team, the Phoenix Suns. The lines, “I’m not bad baby, that’s a gimmick / But the Puerto Rico sun is warmer than the one in Phoenix,” were widely interpreted as a diss aimed at the NBA player.
Booker, never one to shy away from a public interaction, responded indirectly at the time, stating, “He’s (Bad Bunny) worried about another man again.” This retort suggested that Bad Bunny’s focus on him was unwarranted.
Now, just a week after Bad Bunny’s much-anticipated performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured a spectacular display of music and culture, Booker has again seemingly taken a swipe. During the NBA’s All-Star Game festivities, a reporter, addressing “fans of Puerto Rico,” posed a question to Booker about how it “felt to be a part of” Bad Bunny’s performance.
Booker, however, swiftly corrected the reporter, clarifying his own heritage by stating, “I’m Mexican.” He then delivered his pointed response: “I didn’t watch it to be completely honest.” This statement, delivered with apparent nonchalance, has fuelled speculation that Booker was deliberately downplaying Bad Bunny’s significant cultural moment, perhaps as a continuation of their subtle feud.
The history between Booker and Jenner is well-documented. The pair navigated an on-again, off-again relationship for several years, with their most recent link being in 2023 before they reportedly went their separate ways. Despite the separation, recent events have reignited chatter about their dynamic. Jenner herself seemed to playfully acknowledge her past NBA relationships in a Super Bowl commercial, which then led to a flirty and suggestive exchange with Booker on Instagram.
The model, a prominent figure in the fashion world, engaged directly with a comment from Booker on a popular celebrity gossip Instagram post. The post featured a clip of Jenner’s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Booker, in a teasing manner, commented, “I bet a million the Seahawks get that ring before you do,” tagging Jenner.
Jenner, quick-witted as ever, fired back with a pointed question: “how’s the ankle?” This remark immediately sent fans into a frenzy, as it was a clear reference to an injury Booker had sustained during his NBA career. The exchange escalated further when Booker responded with a cheeky, “come rub it,” prompting a flood of comments from followers speculating about lingering chemistry between the former couple.
Meanwhile, Jenner’s relationship with Bad Bunny was a significant talking point in 2023. The Grammy-winning artist and the model were first linked in early 2023 and confirmed their romance shortly after, with paparazzi capturing them sharing a kiss in Los Angeles. While they largely maintained a private relationship, fans began to suspect a split later that year when Jenner shared cryptic social media posts and celebrated her birthday without the singer. By December 2023, multiple reports confirmed their separation.
Sources close to Jenner had previously indicated that she saw long-term potential with Bad Bunny, describing him as “the complete package” and praising his confidence and compatibility with her social circle. However, insiders later suggested that the demanding nature of their schedules and a mutual understanding that the relationship might not be permanent contributed to its gradual fizzling out. An insider told Entertainment Tonight at the time, “They have crazy busy schedules and know they’re still young and have a lot more to experience individually before settling down.”
The narrative of Booker’s recent comment, coupled with the ongoing speculation surrounding Jenner’s love life, continues to keep fans engaged, highlighting the intertwined worlds of sports, music, and celebrity. Whether Booker’s remark about not watching Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance was a genuine oversight or a calculated jab remains open to interpretation, but it certainly adds another intriguing chapter to the unfolding story.
