How Bad Bunny Helped Penélope Cruz Become 'Cool' in Her Kids' Eyes
Penélope Cruz's Heartfelt Thanks to Bad Bunny
Penélope Cruz recently shared her heartfelt appreciation for Bad Bunny, revealing that he played a crucial role in her achieving a parenting milestone: being deemed "cool" by her children. During an engaging chat on 'Hot Ones' with Sean Evans, the 52-year-old actress recounted how her two kids, Leo, 15, and Luna, 12, introduced her to the Grammy-winning musician's tracks.
Initially, Cruz was skeptical about her children's taste in music, humorously commenting on the adult themes present in Bad Bunny's lyrics. "I thought, 'These lyrics aren't suitable for you,'" she reminisced. However, her initial reluctance faded as she began to appreciate the music herself. The family attended the launch of Bad Bunny's residency in Puerto Rico, and since then, they've enjoyed five of his international tour performances, which has greatly improved her rapport with her teenagers.
A defining moment occurred on the opening night of the residency when Bad Bunny invited Cruz on stage to sing a line from his hit song "VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR." This surprise appearance marked a significant shift in her relationship with her kids. "Finally, my children told me, 'Mom, we can finally say you are cool,'" Cruz shared, expressing her joy over this newfound recognition. "Thank you, Benito! It took me all these years," she added with a laugh, reflecting on her long journey to gain her children's approval.
Cruz, who tied the knot with Javier Bardem in 2010, has previously spoken about her parenting approach, particularly her choice to restrict her children's access to smartphones. In a 2024 interview, she highlighted the risks technology poses to young minds, stating, "It's a cruel experiment on children, on teenagers." While she remains cautious about technology, she has embraced her children's musical tastes, even when they initially made her uneasy.
Bad Bunny's ascent to global stardom has been impressive, especially with the launch of his sixth solo studio album, which honors Puerto Rican culture and traditions. The album garnered critical acclaim, winning him three Grammy Awards in 2026, including Album of the Year. Following this achievement, he headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February 2026, further cementing his position as one of the top musical artists worldwide. He is currently on his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour, with his next concert set for Nanterre, France, on Saturday, July 4.