Viral Quinceanera Becomes a Real Party as All of Mexico Cashes in on Rubimania Rafa Fernandez De Castro - Fusion
go to original December 9, 2016

Somewhere around the millionth laugh, the joke became real. The lines between life and the internet got blurred. Absurdity became possibility.

It started with a homemade video invite to a Mexican quinceañera party that went unexpectedly viral. As it did, more than 1 million Mexicans RSVPed. First as a joke, but then with earnestness. Now it appears this party is really happening, as a growing group of companies, celebrities and politicians all try to cash in on the overnight internet phenomenon.



Rubí Ibarra García’s fifteenth birthday party on Dec. 26 is the biggest thing in Mexico right now. And if it happens, it’ll be a fascinating case study of life imitating memes.

Mexican airline Interjet was one of the first companies to tap the excitement this week by announcing a 30% discount on all air travel to San Luis Potosí for Rubi’s party.

...Spotify Mexico has also launched a “Rubís XV” playlist that includes Mexican dance classics like Payaso de rodeo and Baile del Perrito. The hipsters are naturally salivating.

Politicians also wiggling into the picture. San Luis Potosí Congressman Roberto Alejandro Segovia announced that he wants to be Rubí’s chambelan (escort of honor) and vowed to work with local authorities to make sure the event is safe and secure for partygoers visiting his home state and district.

“The party is going to happen. Nothing has been canceled,” Segovia told the local congressional TV channel. “We are going to try to talk to federal highway police, state police, civil protection, firemen, the Red Cross, so they provide security to anyone who comes to this party and the family so they have their quince as it should be.”

Celebrities are also joining the fun. Popular Mexican singers such as El Komander and Larry Hernandez have expressed their desire to attend and sing at Rubí’s quince.

Mexican talkshows have been abuzz with the news, requesting the Ibarra García family for interviews and getting them to dance on camera with hot male models.

For Rubí, the whole thing must feel like an internet fairytale — hopefully one that won’t turn into a nightmare for the young teen.

Read the rest at Fusion

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