Taco Dreams Take Center Stage in the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Local Restaurateur Victor Villa Takes Center Stage at Super Bowl Halftime Show
Victor Villa, the founder of Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park, made a memorable appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show, a notable moment on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Learning of his involvement brought a whirlwind of emotions for Villa. "I didn’t know what to think at first," he reflected, emphasizing his gratitude towards his parents. "They showed me that anything is possible in this life. My dad came to this country at 18 years old with nothing but hopes and dreams, which he transformed into a reality."
Villa expressed pride in passing on this legacy to his children. "We are citizens who have learned from immigrants. You can take whoever away, we will be here forever."
In the opening moments of the highly anticipated performance by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, Villa was seen receiving a piragua, a traditional shaved ice dessert, against a backdrop featuring the Villa’s Tacos sign. This scene likely resonated with audiences across Los Angeles, especially considering the absence of a local team in the game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Villa launched Villa’s Tacos in 2018. He received the surprise invitation to the halftime show in a phone call that left him astounded. "I just got the call, you’ve been selected… They want you for the Super Bowl," Villa recalled. He initially wondered what his role would entail, curious if it would involve cooking or performing in a skit.
Ultimately, Villa’s role was to represent the real experiences of immigrant families in Los Angeles. "Instead of hiring actors to portray various roles, Bad Bunny wanted to include actual professionals to make it feel authentic," he noted.
Villa’s Tacos has gained recognition in the culinary world, appearing in the Michelin guide and being featured three times in the LA Times’ 101 Best Restaurants list. With three locations and more in the works in South Pasadena and Hollywood, Villa is steadily expanding his impact on the local food scene.
Staff at Villa’s Tacos gathered to watch the halftime show and expressed surprise at the last-minute nature of Villa’s appearance. Villa also took to Instagram after the show, thanking Bad Bunny for the opportunity to showcase his culture and family legacy. "This Super Bowl halftime performance goes down as one of the biggest in history, and it’s an absolute honor to be part of such a special moment,” he wrote.
Villa reflected on his journey from selling tacos in his grandmother’s yard to taking center stage at the Super Bowl. "I couldn’t have sold that first taco if my parents didn’t make the difficult decision to leave their homeland for a better life," he stated. "This is for all the immigrants who paved the way for us."
In a follow-up post, Villa summed up his experience, saying, "It’s crazy where a taco can take you."
