Bad Bunny’s Plant Army: The Juicy Paycheck of the “Plant People” on Stage at Super Bowl LX

Over 330 actors spent 70 hours in costumes, mostly immobile, for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show. They earned over $1,300 and were key to the year’s most ambitious halftime production.

The Plant Army That Turned the Super Bowl Into Puerto Rico

Bad Bunny was the star of the Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, but his performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a cultural statement. In just 13 minutes, the Puerto Rican artist transformed the field into a corner of the island, featuring references to the Latin diaspora, a replica of his iconic “casita,” domino tables, shaved ice stands, and even a live hair salon.

Among all the viral elements, one captured the most attention: the “plant people,” hundreds of extras dressed as vegetation forming an impressive human lawn. They weren’t props or inflatable structures—these were real people, immobile, perfectly synchronized.

The choice wasn’t random. According to creative director Harriet Cuddeford, speaking to Variety, turning people into scenery was a solution “bold in every sense.” The result was so impressive that producer Hamish Hamilton, veteran of multiple Super Bowls and the Oscars, called it “the biggest collective effort in a show” he has ever been part of.

70 Hours of Work and Over $1,300 for Being a Bush

Behind the visual effect was discipline, endurance, and countless hours of rehearsal. According to sports business analyst Darren Rovell, participants were paid $18.70 per hour and worked roughly 70 hours, including eight days of rehearsal plus game day.

The final figure: $1,309 per person.

Not bad for a role many online called “the weirdest job in California this year.” In total, over 330 actors participated, though some reports mention up to 380 or even 500 extras. Regardless of the exact number, the scale was massive.

While the world debated whether the NFL pays halftime performers—traditionally, only production costs are covered—these “human bushes” did get a tangible paycheck for their physical and mental effort.

Extreme Requirements: 50 Pounds, Immobility, and Total Endurance

Not everyone could become a plant. The call required a height between 5’7” and 6’0”, an athletic build, and the ability to wear a costume weighing about 50 pounds (22.7 kilos) for over five hours.

Participant Andrew Athias revealed on social media that the instructions were clear: don’t move. Literally. “They told us not to move because ‘there’s no wind in Puerto Rico,’” he said.

The challenge was not only physical but mental. Staying still while cameras, lights, dancers, and Benito himself moved around required absolute focus. Reports indicate an almost even split between men and women.

NFL

All Songs Bad Bunny Performed During Super Bowl

Why a Human Lawn Was Chosen: Logistics and Strategy

Using people instead of traditional scenery wasn’t just an aesthetic decision. The NFL imposed a limit of 25 vehicles to bring equipment onto the field, forcing the creative team to think outside the box.

Turning the turf into a human set allowed faster setup and teardown for an event where every second counts. Additionally, the natural grass field and open-air stadium meant contingency plans for potential rain were necessary.

The result was a show that not only celebrated Latin culture but also demonstrated that creativity can triumph over logistical constraints.