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Penélope Cruz says Bad Bunny has done something she never expected by helping her earn major points with her children.
The Oscar winning actress made the lighthearted revelation during an appearance on Hot Ones, where host Sean Evans asked why taking her children to a Bad Bunny concert had become such a successful parenting move.
Cruz, 52, explained that it was actually her children, 15 year old son Leo and 12 year old daughter Luna, who first introduced her to the Puerto Rican superstar's music. She shares both children with her husband, actor Javier Bardem.
She admitted that her first reaction was to question whether some of Bad Bunny's lyrics were appropriate for younger listeners. Cruz joked that she initially told her children the songs were not meant for them because of their mature themes.
Despite her hesitation, she eventually became a fan herself and found herself listening to the music even when her children were not around.
The family's appreciation for the Grammy winning artist grew so much that they attended the opening night of his concert residency in Puerto Rico. Since then, Cruz revealed they have gone to five performances during his current world tour.
One moment from that first concert remains especially memorable for the actress. She recalled that Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, invited her to join him in delivering the opening line from his song "VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR."
That unexpected invitation instantly impressed her children.
According to Cruz, they later told her that she was finally cool after sharing the stage with one of their favorite artists.
Laughing as she recounted the story, Cruz thanked Bad Bunny for accomplishing something that had taken decades.
"It took me all these years," she joked.
Cruz and Bardem have often spoken about their approach to raising their children. The couple, who married in 2010, have chosen to delay giving their children mobile phones because they believe it is important to protect them while they are still developing.
In a previous interview, Cruz expressed concern about the impact social media and smartphones can have on young people. She said today's children face pressures that previous generations never experienced and described the rapid rise of digital technology as an ongoing experiment with serious consequences.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny continues to enjoy one of the biggest periods of his career. His album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, which celebrates Puerto Rican culture and heritage, earned him three Grammy Awards in 2026, including Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance.
The singer also headlined the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show and is currently performing across the globe on his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour. His next stop is the Plenitude Arena near Paris, France, on Saturday, July 4.
