Bad Bunny Explains Difference Between Stage Persona and Benito on ‘Late Show’: ‘Nothing Better Than Being Yourself’

Bad Bunny pulled a rare late night double-down on Tuesday night (July 22) when he popped in to The Late Show to promote his role in the anticipated comedy sequel Happy Gilmore 2, while also dropping by Late Night With Seth Meyers, with the movie’s star, Adam Sandler, in tow.

From the top, Late Show host Stephen Colbert noted that while the singer’s stage name is how the world knows him, he prefers to be called by his birth name, Benito. Dressed in a Gilmore-worthy caddy outfit of shorts, t-shirt, baseball hat and a windbreaker, the Puerto Rican superstar explained the difference to self-described “abuelo” (grandpa) Colbert.

“It’s definitely a stage name,” he said as Colbert wondered if Bad Bunny was a persona that allows the singer to be a different person on stage.

“It used to be. I think at the very beginning, it was more like Bad Bunny was a character, but growing up and there’s more about Benito in Bad Bunny,” Benito said. “I learned that there’s nothing better than [to] be yourself… like in life, but art, music be yourself, it’s the best. Benito, Bad Bunny… they are the same,” he added to cheers from the studio audience.

Benito further explained that when he is on stage Bad Bunny is more “confident and powerful,” in a way that makes him feel different when he’s connecting with the crowd.

Colbert showed footage from Benito’s ongoing historic 30-show homestand in Puerto Rico and asked what it’s been like to share the stage with so many special guests during this iconic run of gigs. “I love to perform everywhere around the world… I love to perform here in U.S.A. with all the Latino community,” Benito said. “But performing at home with my people, it always feels different. It’s like a family reunion, especially these residency shows feel way more united than ever. It’s something magical to me.”

After describing his perfect day in Puerto Rico, Benito came back to discuss his role in Gilmore, including his meet-cute with his “favorite” comedic actor, Sandler. “I’ve been in a lot of Lakers games, but I never saw him before,” Benito said of his courtside seats, where he’s met a ton of other A-listers. But at one game he attended, he spotted Sandler sitting on the other side of the court and he freaked out.

“‘No way, he’s here,’” he recalled whispering to his best friend. “You know who I’m talking about.” Benito said he kept sneaking looks at Sandler and at one point they made eye contact and Sandler shot BB a peace sign. “Bro, I was wearing glasses, ’cause I started to cry courtside. And I was a little tipsy, so I got emotional. I was like, ‘no way he know who I am. He know me!’ And I was so excited and then we met through text.”

Benito plays Sandler’s caddy in the film, which opens on Friday (July 25) and also features Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Margaret Qualley, Ben Stiller, Kid Cudi, Travis Kelce and professional golfers Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and John Daly.

Watch Bad Bunny on The Late Show below.