Jill Zarin’s Harsh Critique Ignites Fury (Image Credits: Cdn01.justjared.com)
Former Real Housewives of New York star Jill Zarin sparked widespread condemnation from Bravo personalities after posting a now-deleted video that trashed Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.[1][2]
Jill Zarin’s Harsh Critique Ignites Fury
The 62-year-old reality veteran shared her unfiltered thoughts on Instagram shortly after Bad Bunny’s performance at the 2026 Super Bowl. She labeled it the “worst halftime show ever” and questioned its appropriateness for family viewing.[1]
Zarin complained about the Spanish lyrics, stating she did not understand the words and viewed the all-Latino lineup as a “political statement” with “literally no white people in the entire thing.” She also called out the performer’s suggestive movements as “totally inappropriate” for young children and tied it to themes like immigration enforcement. The video vanished quickly amid mounting criticism, but clips spread rapidly online.[2][3]
Six Housewives Deliver Scathing Responses
Fellow Bravo stars wasted no time in pushing back against Zarin’s remarks. Their reactions ranged from outright disgust to pointed trolling, highlighting a divide within the reality TV circle.[1]
The backlash included sharp social media posts and podcast commentary. Here are the six prominent voices that fired back:
- Tamra Judge (Real Housewives of Orange County): Responded with “What the actual F*#k” on X and reposted an old clip calling Zarin the “thirstiest b – h,” captioning it “Some things never change.”[1]
- Dorinda Medley (Real Housewives of New York): On her podcast, she expressed horror at Zarin’s words and praised Bad Bunny for creating “hope” during the show.[1]
- Margaret Josephs (Real Housewives of New Jersey): Wrote on Instagram that she felt “horrified, disgusted and disappointed” but celebrated the performance’s representation of America.[1]
- Chanel Ayan (Real Housewives of Dubai): Posted “Seriously disgusted 🤮” and confirmed she unfollowed Zarin.[1]
- Crystal Kung Minkoff (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum): Trolled with a GIF Zarin hates, replied “Idiots” to a post targeting Zarin, and unfollowed her.[1]
- Bozoma Saint John (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills): Highlighted Zarin’s false neutrality, writing, “‘I’m not taking a side’. Yet very clearly taking a side. Please 🙄 I, on the other hand, LOVED Benito Bowl… for its beauty, culture, history and message!”[1]
Broader Reactions and Performance Context
Other Bravo figures amplified the criticism. Janet Caperna from The Valley declared, “Tell me you’re racist without telling me you’re racist…YIKES!!!” while Andy Cohen dismissed Zarin on his radio show, noting she and similar critics were no longer Bravo-employed.[4][5]
Taylor Armstrong, another ex-Housewife, echoed Zarin by slamming the Spanish-heavy show but drew her own backlash. Bad Bunny’s set, dubbed “Benito Bowl” by fans, featured high-energy Latin music, cultural nods, and a surprise Lady Gaga cameo, which Zarin barely acknowledged positively.[6]
Key Takeaways
- Jill Zarin’s deleted video focused on language, diversity, and appropriateness, framing the show as politically charged.
- Six Housewives from various franchises united in condemnation, using social media and podcasts to voice support for Bad Bunny.
- The incident spotlights tensions around cultural representation in major events like the Super Bowl.
This controversy arrives as Zarin prepares for E!’s The Golden Life with other RHONY alums, potentially complicating her return to the spotlight. Fans and stars alike questioned her views amid celebrations of the performance’s vibrant energy. What do you think of the halftime show and the reactions? Tell us in the comments.
