Rising Stars: Meet Johnny Rico of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Rico.

Hi Johnny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got started in the celebrity lookalike business the same way most people do—you hear someone tell you over and over that you look like a certain person. Before you know it, you’ve turned it into a successful business where you entertain and create unforgettable moments at events, from weddings and birthday parties to corporate events—even getting booked by Live Nation to create content for Bruno Mars’ 2026 Romantic Tour.

It wasn’t always like that, though.

It all started in 2010, when people first began telling me I looked like this guy in a music video. Two big moments from that time really stand out. I was in a movie theater with my then-girlfriend, watching commercials before the film started. A clip of “Nothing on You” by B.o.B. and Bruno Mars came on, and she turned to me and said I looked just like him. The second moment came a couple of years later, when my best friend at the time started saying that Bruno and I had the same kind of funny personality.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t like it at first. I didn’t want to be compared to anyone else. At the time, I saw myself as my own artist, working toward becoming a beatmaker (which I still plan to get back into soon). But from 2010 to 2017, as Bruno Mars’ popularity grew, I heard it more and more. People kept telling me I looked like him, and I would just smile and take it respectfully.

From 2009 to 2017, I ran an online mid-century modern furniture business. When I closed it, I wasn’t sure what kind of business I wanted to start next. Then one day in September 2017, everything changed. I was driving through Burbank, where I live, and stopped at a red light. Up ahead, across a bridge, I saw a record label building with a huge poster of Bruno Mars promoting the 24K Magic album. In that moment, it all became crystal clear—what everyone else had been seeing all those years suddenly clicked for me. Like a lightning bolt, the idea hit.

As soon as I got home, I bought the domain BrunoMarsImpersonator.com, got the outfit he was wearing in the “24K Magic” video, and within a month landed my first gig in Marina del Rey for a young woman named Layla. It even happened to be on October 8th—Bruno’s birthday.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible people, be part of amazing projects, and continue doing what I love—entertaining at events. Beyond bookings, I’ve also expanded into other types of projects. A few months ago, I was hired to help create a promo video for Andrew Santino’s Hulu special “White Noise.” I went from watching him on YouTube and TikTok to working with him—unreal.

I’ve also had the chance to work with some of the biggest streamers in the world, like StableRonaldo and JasonTheWeen, when I was hired to hang out and perform during the FaZe Subathon.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I thank God that I’ve had such a fun and smooth experience as a professional celebrity impersonator and lookalike. I’m consistently booking events and have reached a point where I even have the luxury of passing on certain requests.

What makes everything run so smoothly is knowing how to work with clients. As I mentioned before, I’m no stranger to running a business, and what I do here is no different. A client has a need—you fulfill it—and if they’re happy, it’s a win. It’s really not rocket science.

One area I knew I had to improve along the way was singing. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a struggle, but it was something I had to develop quickly if I wanted to book higher-quality work. I was never a singer before and didn’t consider myself one at the time. Now, after years of growth and experience, I can confidently say—I am a singer.

Being an impersonator is a little different for me. While there may be hundreds of Michael Jackson or Elvis impersonators out there, there’s only one Bruno Mars impersonator who looks, sings, and dances like Bruno Mars. I truly feel I have no competition, and I always aim to deliver the best Bruno experience at every single event.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional celebrity impersonator who has been entertaining crowds since 2017. I get hired to perform as Bruno, and if I do my job right, I leave people scratching their heads—still asking days or even weeks later, “Was that really Bruno Mars at the party!?”

Convincing people that I am Bruno Mars through my performances, meet-and-greets, and interactions is my specialty—and what I’m known for.

I’m genuinely proud of every gig I book. Each one is special and memorable in its own way. But over time, I’ve found myself especially proud of certain moments. A couple of years ago, I was hired to shoot a video in Beverly Hills for a YouTuber. It turned out to be one of my son’s favorite creators—Airrack—who we still watch to this day. He was even kind enough to record a personalized video for my son, which made the experience even more meaningful.

Another standout moment was the project I did with Andrew Santino. I was especially proud of that one because my son recognized him from a viral clip (“I’m Bobby Mom”). Since the shoot was on a weekend and local, I brought my son along so he could finally see me in action—something he doesn’t usually get to experience. The best part? After the shoot, Andrew took the time to record a video with my son using his famous catchphrase. That’s a moment we’ll both never forget.

What sets me apart in this industry is that I’m the only professional lookalike and impersonator of Bruno Mars doing it at this level. But beyond that, I approach this work with a deep level of respect. When people see me at an event as Bruno Mars, my goal is to make them feel like they’re truly in his presence. That means studying him closely and recreating not just the performance, but the full experience—how he moves, interacts, and connects with people.

Even the smallest details matter. I’ll even wear Versace cologne to add that extra layer to the illusion 🙂

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The celebrity impersonator industry continues to grow year after year. I’ve seen this firsthand over the past nine years working as an impersonator. Social media has played a huge role in that growth, making it easier than ever to showcase our work. Today, companies, event planners, TikTok creators, and YouTubers can quickly decide whether to hire you just by looking at your Instagram or Facebook presence.

Looking ahead, I believe the next 5–10 years will continue along the same path. The demand for celebrity impersonators isn’t going anywhere. People hire us because we bring recognizable excitement, novelty, and a unique, memorable experience that elevates any event. That kind of entertainment has lasting appeal—and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BrunoMarsImpersonator.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunomarsimpersonator
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrunoMarsImpersonator
• Twitter: https://x.com/BMImpersonator
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnnyRicoAsBrunoMars