On Monday, Bad Bunny arrived at the 2026 Met Gala with a look that seemed to defy time. The Puerto Rican superstar debuted a hyperrealistic old-age transformation for the event’s “Fashion Is Art” theme, complete with intricate details like liver spots, fine wrinkles, and bushy gray eyebrows. This stunning metamorphosis was the work of veteran makeup artist Mike Marino, who has spent three decades mastering the art of prosthetics and special effects.
Marino, whose career includes work on over 100 films, drew early inspiration from a “traumatizing” childhood viewing of The Elephant Man and the iconic visuals of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. He has become a go-to expert for high-profile transformations, including his frequent collaborations with Heidi Klum and his work with The Weeknd, for whom he crafted everything from faux plastic surgery to heavy bruising and old-age makeup.
The Process Behind the Transformation
Explaining the challenge of working in the high-pressure environment of the Met Gala, Marino noted, “A surgeon wants quiet and peace and perfect temperature. I’m walking into a party zone and doing surgery in front of 30 people.”
The collaboration with Bad Bunny began months in advance. After a 3D laser scan of the artist’s head in Miami, Marino sculpted the old-age design on a 3D-printed model. The goal was to create a look that felt “distinguished” rather than grotesque, ensuring the star remained recognizable and handsome for the red carpet.
The application process itself was a masterclass in precision. Marino tinted the silicone pieces intrinsically to match Bad Bunny’s skin tone before applying them. He then hand-painted microscopic details, including burst blood vessels and liver spots, using an airbrush. The final look was completed with custom-made hairpieces—a mustache, goatee, side beard, and a full wig—all blended with fine lace netting. The entire process took approximately three hours.
Live Events vs. Film Sets
When asked about the differences between working on a film set and a live event, Marino emphasized the lack of room for error. “On movies, you can go in and do touch ups, and say ‘Hey, I don’t like the way this looks, stop the camera,’” he explained. “Live events, you can’t fix anything.”
Despite the intensity, Marino praised the artist’s professionalism. “Bad Bunny was very kind, very cooperative. I couldn’t have had a better person to do makeup on.” When asked about his dream future projects, the artist joked about wanting to work with icons of the past, envisioning a “Zombie Elvis on the toilet with a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich.”
