Cruz shared that the Puerto Rican star instantly solidified her status in the eyes of her children. Image credit (Instagram)
Penelope Cruz credited Bad Bunny with helping her achieve what she described as a major parenting breakthrough: finally being considered cool by her kids. The 52-year-old actress spoke about her experience meeting the musician during her recent appearance.During an interview on Hot Ones with host Sean Evans on Thursday, July 2, Cruise discussed the parenting benefits of taking her kids to a Bad Bunny concert. The actress explained that her two children, son Leo, 15, and daughter Luna, 12, who she shares with husband Javier Bardem, were the ones who initially introduced her to the music of the Grammy Award-winning artist. “So, I said, ‘These lyrics aren’t for you,'” the actress joked about some of the musician’s mature lyrical content.
“You know, we were trying to fight it for a while, but then I was just listening nonstop myself.” She admitted that while she initially resisted her children’s musical taste, she eventually became a loyal listener herself.
Introduction to Bad Bunny’s music
Cruz shared that the family attended the opening of Bad Bunny’s residency in his native Puerto Rico, and has since attended five shows on his current international tour. The experience proved to have changed her relationship with and perception of teenagers.
The moment that changed everything
During the opening of Puerto Rico’s residency, an unexpected opportunity arose. “But the first in Puerto Rico was when Benito came to me and asked me to go with him and say ‘Acho, PR es otra cosa,’” Cruz said, referring to the opening line of the musician’s song “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR.” She went on stage with the artist to perform this special moment of the show.This appearance marked the turning point in her position with her teenage children.
“And finally my kids came up to me and said, ‘Mom, finally we can say you’re amazing,'” Cruz added as the host laughed as she recounted the moment. “Thank you, Benito! It took all these years,” she concluded with good humor, acknowledging how long she had waited for her children to view her positively through that special lens.
Penelope Cruz’s Parenting Philosophy
Cruise and Bardem, 57, married in 2010, and the actress has been vocal about her parenting style in previous interviews.
In 2024, she discussed her decision to keep her children away from cell phones. “It’s very easy to be manipulated, especially if you have a brain that’s still forming,” she said in a major post about her reasons. “And who pays the price? Not us, not our generation, which, maybe at the age of 25, learned how to work a BlackBerry.
“It is a harsh experience for children and teenagers.”Her protective attitude toward technology contrasts with her willingness to embrace her children’s musical interests, even when those interests initially turned her off.
Bad Bunny’s recent success
Bad Bunny’s international recognition reaches new heights with his sixth solo album, a celebration of his native Puerto Rico filled with references to the flora, fauna and cultural traditions of the Caribbean island. The album received significant critical acclaim, earning him three Grammy Awards in 2026 for Album of the Year, Best Urbana and Best World Music Performance.Following his success at the Grammys, the Puerto Rican musician took the stage to headline the “Super Bowl Halftime Show” in February 2026, cementing his status as one of the world’s most prominent music artists. He is currently on the DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour and will perform his next concert in Nanterre, France near Paris on Saturday, July 4th.
