When a video of Diplo dressed as one of the now-iconic grassy bushes from Bad Bunny’s Feb. 8 Super Bowl Halftime Show began circulating online, fans were quick to react. The clip, posted on Friday (Feb. 13), appeared to show the producer dancing on the field alongside a lineup of bush-costumed performers, with the word “surprise” splashed across the screen.
There was just one problem: the video wasn’t real.
The Details Don’t Add Up
At first glance, the clip looked convincing. But a closer look revealed several inconsistencies that made it clear the footage was AI-generated.
For starters, the grassy costume seen in the video didn’t match the actual outfits worn during the halftime show. The real costumes were noticeably taller and spikier, carefully designed to complement the performance’s choreography and larger-than-life staging. Diplo’s supposed bush ensemble looked shorter and less detailed by comparison.
Even more telling was the field view. The halftime show was an expansive production filled with elaborate set pieces — including Bad Bunny’s instantly recognizable casita, complete with celebrity guests such as Jessica Alba and Cardi B. There were also towering power lines that the Puerto Rican superstar dramatically climbed, along with a massive team of dancers and intricate stage elements. None of these appeared in Diplo’s clip. Instead, the field looked strangely empty.
And then there’s the stadium itself. The Super Bowl took place at Levi’s Stadium, which notably does not have a roof. Yet the stadium shown in the viral video clearly featured one — another giveaway that the footage had been digitally altered.
Social Media Has a Field Day
While the video may not have been authentic, it certainly entertained. Commenters flooded the post with jokes, with one person quipping that the clip represented “a new level of industry plant.” The playful reactions added to the fun, proving that even a fabricated cameo can spark real laughs online.
Despite the AI antics, Diplo was genuinely present for Super Bowl weekend. A frequent attendee of the big game and its surrounding festivities, he was spotted at various events and parties. Ahead of kickoff, he even performed at San Francisco’s Pier 80 on Feb. 6 in a high-profile double billing with Calvin Harris.
The Real Halftime Star
As for Bad Bunny, there’s no question about his appearance. The global superstar undeniably headlined the halftime show — and the impact was immediate. On Feb. 9, the day after the performance, he experienced the second-largest streaming day of his career, underscoring the massive cultural moment his show created.
So while the internet briefly entertained the idea of Diplo blending in as a dancing shrub, the reality is clear: No, Diplo wasn’t the grass bush at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. But in the age of AI and viral humor, even a bush can steal a little spotlight.
