Andy Cohen Slams Bad Bunny: “He’s Exploiting the LGBTQ+ Community for Sympathy — And Making Things Worse”

TV host and pop-culture powerhouse Andy Cohen has ignited a firestorm after accusing global superstar Bad Bunny of “using the LGBTQ+ community as a marketing prop to gain sympathy and attention.”

In a fiery segment on his SiriusXM show, Cohen didn’t hold back, calling the Puerto Rican artist’s recent performances and statements “performative activism” that, in his view, only deepens stereotypes instead of breaking them.

“What Bad Bunny is doing isn’t representation — it’s exploitation,” Cohen said bluntly. “He parades as an ally, wears a dress for shock value, and then disappears when the real work needs to be done. That doesn’t help the LGBTQ+ community — it turns them into props for publicity.”

The Bravo host’s comments instantly went viral, sparking an online battle between supporters who applauded his candor and critics who accused him of misunderstanding Bad Bunny’s artistic expression.

Cohen, known for his unapologetic takes and deep roots within LGBTQ+ advocacy, doubled down in follow-up remarks, saying he was tired of celebrities who “wave the rainbow flag only when cameras are rolling.” He added that Bad Bunny’s approach “makes genuine allies look fake and gives fuel to people who already hate the community.”

“He’s not lifting anyone up,” Cohen continued. “He’s making it easier for bigots to point and say, ‘See? This is what they’re all like.’ It’s painful to watch because the intention might be good, but the execution is careless — and the result is more stigma, not less.”

The remarks struck a nerve, especially given Bad Bunny’s history of gender-fluid fashion choices and outspoken support for LGBTQ+ rights. Many fans credit him with expanding representation in Latin music and challenging machismo culture. But Cohen’s criticism tapped into a growing unease — even among some LGBTQ+ advocates — about the line between authentic allyship and opportunistic branding.

Within hours, social media exploded with heated debates. Supporters of Cohen praised him for “saying what others are too scared to admit,” calling Bad Bunny’s gestures “empty activism dressed up as rebellion.” Others blasted Cohen as “out of touch,” arguing that Bad Bunny’s visibility has opened new doors for expression in a traditionally conservative industry.

“Andy Cohen has done incredible work for LGBTQ+ visibility,” one user wrote on X, “but tearing down someone who’s trying to normalize fluidity in mainstream Latin music feels regressive.”

Industry insiders said Cohen’s remarks could signal a deeper conversation within entertainment about performative allyship — when stars use social causes to polish their public image without backing them up with meaningful action. “There’s a fine line between advocacy and aesthetics,” one Hollywood publicist said. “Andy just called out what many insiders whisper about privately.”

Bad Bunny’s team has not issued an official response, but close sources told entertainment outlets that the artist “has nothing to apologize for” and will continue to “express himself without labels or limits.”

Still, Cohen’s words carry weight — especially given his influence in both entertainment and LGBTQ+ activism. His critique wasn’t just about one artist; it was about an entire industry trend where identity, politics, and performance increasingly blur together for likes, clicks, and headlines.

In closing his on-air rant, Cohen left listeners with one last pointed message:

“If you really care about the LGBTQ+ community, show up when it’s not convenient. Don’t wear it like a costume.”

Whether you see it as a necessary wake-up call or a harsh overreach, one thing is clear — Andy Cohen has once again sparked a national conversation. And as the debate over authenticity in pop culture deepens, Bad Bunny’s name now sits squarely at its center, forced to confront a question that echoes far beyond music: When does support become self-promotion?