I flew cross-country to be grass in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show

Andrew Athias, 33, a Philadelphia-based digital marketer and content creator, was one of the 500 bunches of dancing grass at Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. He flew from Philadelphia to San Francisco in the middle of a snowstorm and spent two weeks rehearsing; he was paid $18.70 per hour but said he would have done it for free.

The role had basic athletic requirements: no taller than six feet, no shorter than five feet seven inches, and able to wear a 40-plus-pound costume. Applicants had to measure every part of their bodies, and the casting asked about marching-band or entertainment experience.

On the field they were told where to stand — "Don't move. Stand here and be one with the grass" — while production made alterations across about eight practices, with the last three lasting 12 hours each. The suits were heavy and sometimes uncomfortable, with occasional plastic blades causing problems, but performers got protective goggles and the crew worked to fix complaints.

United States, Philadelphia; San Francisco

bad bunny, super bowl, halftime show, dancing grass, andrew athias, philadelphia, san francisco, rehearsals, 40-pound costume, hourly pay