Bad Bunny look-alike contest in San Francisco draws hundreds of fans

The event at a local Mexican restaurant snowballed into a street party as fans cheered on the contestants.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A Bad Bunny look-alike contest at a San Francisco restaurant drew hundreds of the global superstar's fans, who cheered on the contestants and sang along to his music ahead of his Super Bowl halftime show performance. Over 30 contestants from across the Bay Area competed for a $100 prize, channeling Bad Bunny's signature looks and dance moves. The event turned into a lively street party with a DJ playing the artist's hits as some fans even dressed up as the Puerto Rican crested toad, an endangered species featured in one of his music videos.

Why it matters

The massive turnout for the look-alike contest highlights Bad Bunny's immense popularity, especially among the Latino community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event showcased the artist's cultural impact and the enthusiasm of his fanbase, which is expected to translate to a highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show performance.

The details

The look-alike contest was organized by Mission Loteria, a group that promotes Latino businesses in San Francisco. Contestants channeled Bad Bunny's signature looks, including wearing straw 'pava' hats and shearling aviator hats. Some contestants even imitated the artist's 'perreo' or twerking dance moves and held 'ICE Out' signs, referencing Bad Bunny's criticism of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign. The grand prize went to Abdul Ramirez Arroyave, a professional Bad Bunny impersonator from Colombia.

  • The look-alike contest took place on February 6, 2026, ahead of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show performance.
  • Bad Bunny's album 'Debi Tirar Mas Fotos' won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on the previous Sunday.

The players

Bad Bunny

A 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and global superstar known for his unique style and music that blends Latin trap, reggaeton, and pop.

Abdul Ramirez Arroyave

A professional Bad Bunny impersonator from Colombia who won the grand prize in the look-alike contest.

Mission Loteria

A group that promotes Latino businesses in San Francisco and organized the Bad Bunny look-alike contest.

Adam Fox

A 24-year-old aspiring actor from Belmont, California who participated in the look-alike contest.

Alejandro Kurt

A 23-year-old from Belmont, California who participated in the look-alike contest alongside his friend Adam Fox.

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What they’re saying

“His music 'is like art. You don't have to totally understand it. It could just be something that's beautiful,'”

— Adam Fox, aspiring actor (wral.com)

“'I love to perrear and dance, so I do love that aspect of his music,' she said, adding that his last album has deeper lyrics that speak to her because they talk about our shared humanity.”

— Pamela Guo (wral.com)

What’s next

Bad Bunny is set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show this weekend, where his popularity and cultural impact will be on full display for a national audience.

The takeaway

The massive turnout and enthusiasm for the Bad Bunny look-alike contest in San Francisco underscores the artist's immense popularity, especially among the Latino community. His music and persona have transcended language barriers and resonated with fans around the world, cementing his status as a global superstar.