By Angelica Medina
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Oversized sunglasses, colourful shirts, Puerto Rican straw hats, and even an "ICE out" sign filled a San Francisco restaurant on Thursday as Bad Bunny lookalikes competed for $100 and bragging rights ahead of the reggaeton star's Super Bowl halftime show.
Tacolicious along with Mision Loteria hosted the lookalike contest that drew massive interest. Organizers said 300 VIP tickets sold out in two days, with a wait list of 600 people.
"We knew it was
going to be a lot of people because we sold out in two days," Luis Guido, one of the organizers told Reuters. "There were at least 300 people inside and at least 200 people outside. So it was a big crowd, but we made it work."
Attendees saw the 34 contestants parade their best impersonations of Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio. Two radio hosts cut the field to 11 finalists before the crowd chose the top four based on cheers and applause.
The winner, "Abdul Bunny", who works as a Bad Bunny impersonator, took home the cash prize and NFL swag.
"I feel really good because Bad Bunny, Benito is representing all the Latinos and even more now with Super Bowl this Sunday," Abdul said.
"Benito, if you hear me, blessings. I do this, your tribute, the Bad Bunny tribute ... because I love you bro, I love so much."
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday will be a historic moment for Latin music on one of the world's biggest stages.
The 31-year-old Puerto Rican star, fresh off winning Album of the Year at the Grammys for "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos," will perform for an expected audience of over 130 million viewers when the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots in the NFL championship game on Sunday.
The artist has been outspoken about his political views, particularly his criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation policies and support for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
Upon accepting one of his three Grammy awards last week, he declared "ICE out" from the stage, referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a message that resonated with fans who turned out in droves for the San Francisco lookalike contest.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in San Francisco, additional reporting by Maria Cardona; Editing by Ken Ferris)
