Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Episode: Bad Bunny on His Sold-Out Residency in Puerto Rico and Acting in "Caught Stealing"

Date: August 31, 2025
Guest: Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio)

Overview

This episode features a candid and wide-ranging conversation between Willie Geist and global superstar Bad Bunny, set on a Manhattan rooftop. The chat spans Bad Bunny’s homecoming, arena-sized residency in Puerto Rico, his expanding career in film—including his serious role in Darren Aronofsky’s "Caught Stealing"—and the shaping influences behind his music and persona. Geist guides the discussion with warmth and humor, teasing out both personal reflections and industry insights from one of pop culture's biggest multi-hyphenates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Transition to Acting and "Caught Stealing"

• First Puerto Rican Role: Bad Bunny shares excitement over portraying Colorado, his first role as a Puerto Rican character in film.
  • “Well, the most that I love about him is he's Puerto Rican and is the first Puerto Rican role that I have on this journey on acting. So that was my first. Oh, finally.” [03:30]
• Acting Experience: He discusses the challenge and nervousness of working in a star-studded cast with director Darren Aronofsky and feeling pressure to prove himself.
  • “I need to make this work for everyone… I have to do my best to be at their level… it’s about respect their job, their work.” [07:07]
• Aronofsky’s Support: He feels grateful for Aronofsky's faith and the encouragement to push his boundaries.
  • “I'm very grateful with Darren for trust on me… he pushed me to give my best and that's something that I really appreciate.” [05:32]
• Difference from Performing Music: Contrasts the private internal focus of acting with the public spectacle of stadium tours.
  • “When you are in a movie set… it's very personal, I think… that’s when you get into the role and into the story… it’s like living another life.” [09:03]

2. The San Juan Residency: A Love Letter to Puerto Rico

• Unprecedented Residency: 30 sold-out arena shows in San Juan; massive boost to the local economy; described as his best ever experience in music.
  • “This is, so far my best experience in music, maybe in life… what is happening right now in San Juan in that arena is something magical, I swear.” [13:58]
• Community and Pride: Emphasizes the familial, joyful atmosphere and the pride of sharing Puerto Rico’s culture with international fans—not just through celebration, but through honesty about the island's complexities.
  • “Everyone is like a big family just having fun, singing, dancing, crying… it’s such a pleasure to show my culture, my country, my land right there in my house.” [13:58]
  • “We show the best of Puerto Rico and also the… toughest or delicate things about Puerto Rico… it’s powerful and honest.” [16:14]
• Notable Guests: Mentions celebrities attending, like Jon Hamm, and the universality of the show’s joy.
  • “It's impossible not to have fun at that show.” [17:41]

3. Musical Roots and Influences

• Eclectic Background: Reflects on the diversity in his upbringing—salsa from his father, merengue from his mother, reggaeton as a Y2K kid, and international influences like Bee Gees and Tupac.
  • “My dad… always was listening to salsa music. My mom used to listen a lot of merengue… I born [in] 1994, so I'm a Y2K boy, so I grew up listening to reggaeton…” [18:15]
  • “There's a lot of influence not just on my blood, like in my mind, in my, my soul.” [20:00]

4. Path to Stardom

• Early Dreams: Knew from age 7 he wanted to be a musician, started making beats and writing at 12.
  • “I think I took that decision when I was seven… since 12, I start to make beats, write songs… every day of my life.” [20:37]
• Breakthrough: Decided at 20 to take music seriously by sharing on the internet; by 22, life transformed.
• Adapting to Fame: Acknowledges it’s a “long journey,” credits support system and upbringing for navigating change.
  • “I'm still learning a lot… grateful about what I learned at home with my parents… and the people that is around me…” [22:41]

5. Stage Name Origins: “Bad Bunny”

• Backstory: The name traces to a childhood photo in a bunny costume—alternately smiling and mad.
  • “That was a picture of me when I was a kid… I was mad that day… I think it fit perfect on me because I could be bad, I could be good.” [26:43]
• On Accidentally Choosing a Global Moniker: He never foresaw the childhood nickname would become world-famous.
  • “Insane. I never, I never thought of that.” [27:54]

6. The Future: Relentless Creativity

• Next Steps: Eager to do more acting, experiment with other creative projects—prefers to act first, announce later.
  • “I would love to do more acting and movies, but… I never mention any of those things because I prefer to show.” [25:50]
• On Dreaming: Urges listeners never to stop dreaming or growing, citing his own journey from a child in Puerto Rico to a global figure.
  • “Never forget where that dream start… keep dreaming, never stop. Sound like a very cliche phrase, but that's what life about.” [24:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Representation Matters:
  “The fact that I'm doing a Puerto Rican role for the first time is, is so cool… it’s most special.” – Bad Bunny [03:30]
• About Aronofsky’s Direction:
  “He pushed me to give my best and that’s something I really appreciate.” – Bad Bunny [05:32]
• On Performing at Home:
  “There's a feeling that I can even explain. It's like everyone love each other. Everyone is like a big family just having fun, singing, dancing, crying.” – Bad Bunny [13:58]
• Musical Eclecticism:
  “There's so much artists and musical culture that it’s like impossible… There's a lot of influence not just on my blood, like in my mind, in my soul.” – Bad Bunny [19:59–20:00]
• The “Bad Bunny” Paradox:
  “Even a bad bunny is gonna look like a good bunny… I could be bad, I could be good.” – Bad Bunny [26:43]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:30] Portraying Puerto Rican character Colorado in "Caught Stealing"
• [05:32] Working with Darren Aronofsky; being pushed to excel as an actor
• [09:03] Comparing acting to performing for stadium crowds
• [13:58] Describing the Puerto Rico residency and its meaning
• [16:14] Honesty and complexity in his live show’s narrative about Puerto Rico
• [18:15–20:10] Discussing his formative musical influences
• [20:37] Early decision to pursue music and first steps in his career
• [22:41] Learning to adapt to global fame
• [24:37] Never forgetting his roots and the value of dreams
• [25:50] Future creative ambitions
• [26:43] Childhood origin of “Bad Bunny” as a stage name

Conclusion

Bad Bunny reveals himself here as introspective, passionate, and deeply tied to Puerto Rican identity. Whether describing the magic of his San Juan shows or his nerves stepping onto a movie set with Hollywood heavyweights, his sincerity and ambition shine through. He frames each of his artistic choices—musical, cinematic, personal—as part of a broader mission to represent his heritage, challenge himself, and encourage others never to stop dreaming.