Viewers get their much-needed dose of good vibes whenever Rufa Mae Quinto steps out of the "Your Face Sounds Familiar" iconator, transformed into her assigned music legend for the week.
On the art of impersonation
She’s arguably one of the most anticipated celebrity performers on the show—and it's either you're clapping because she nailed her icon’s vibe, or you're LOL-ing because she once again laced her number with humor.
But just because she makes people laugh doesn’t mean she’s not pouring artistry into every performance. In fact, among all the celebrity performers this season, Rufa Mae has the most extensive experience in impersonation, having spent her prime years in sitcoms and gag shows as her training ground in the late '90s to early 2000s, the golden era of satire and spoof. She even got her very first Best Comedy Actress award in 1999 for an iconic parody show.
“Isa talaga ’yun sa talent ko,” she said, proud to have learned from impersonation virtuosos like Michael V., Jon Santos, and the late Willie Nepomuceno. That experience definitely paid off when she finally clinched a win in “YFSF” Round 9 for her transformation as Fergie—an emotional, full-circle moment that proved she’s more than just comic relief.
WATCH: Rufa Mae Quinto earns a standing ovation for her unforgettable Fergie performance | YFSF 2026
"YFSF" gave her a chance to revisit the craft of impersonation. Through the show, she realized even more that imitation requires discipline and passion. “Kailangan [‘yung icon na ginagaya] kumapit sa’yo,” she pondered. “Lahat ng galaw."
That level of dedication didn’t go unnoticed even internationally. When Rufa Mae took on South Korea-based American rapper Jessi in Week 5, her high-energy take on “Zoom” went viral online. The performance was shared across platforms until it eventually reached Jessi herself, who left a playful comment on TikTok: “What’s going on?” followed by a string of laughing emojis. Rufa Mae couldn’t believe it at first. “Diyos ko, hindi ko na rin alam. Sabi ko, 'Tama ba ’yan?' Pero, tama,” she recalled, still amused by Jessi's reaction.
WATCH: Rufa Mae Quinto channels Jessi in a bold and energetic performance | YFSF 2025
Support and cheer, not just from longtime fans but from a whole new wave of viewers, have come flooding in for her since joining "YFSF." That, she said, is one of the most fulfilling rewards of pouring effort into each act.
Now she could feel that people never really stopped loving her, even after her short hiatus to focus on marriage and motherhood. Through “YFSF,” she got the chance to reintroduce herself to a younger generation that fell in love with the OG ‘Booba' in a heartbeat.
"Hindi ko lang in-expect na ‘yung tao, maa-appreciate nila kahit na nagkakamali [ako]. Ang dami talagang nakaka-appreciate." She also feels that appreciation from the "YFSF" team, “Nagkaroon talaga ako ng mga bago kong kaibigan at pamilya... Kumbaga, hindi ako madalas sa ABS-CBN, nito na lang,” and it’s one reason she turned emotional during her winning week.
That’s why she never felt bad, even when she was their frequent 'bunot' (target of jokes) for her low scores. “Sanay naman ako sa joke. Rufa Mae is a joker,” she shrugged. “Lagi silang nagbibiro kasi mga kaibigan ko sila."
On being imitated
It’s funny when you think about it—Rufa Mae’s task on "YFSF" is to copy other artists. But in real life, she's one of the most impersonated icons in local pop culture. Her distinct tone, exaggerated expressions, and all that 'Rufa-isms' have made her a favorite subject of spoofs over the years. Even her fellow “YFSF” performer Jason Dy often imitates her manner of speaking.
When asked how she feels about being spoofed so often, the Comedy Bombshell reacted, "Natatawa ako. Nakakatawa eh, 'no? Imagine, ‘yung impersonator ko pa lang, natatawa na rin ako. What more kung ako pala talaga [ang magpapatawa]." She added, half-joking and half-curious, "Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit sila natatawa sa akin. Ba't kaya?"
Maybe that’s the secret. She doesn’t try to be funny—she just is. “I’m just being myself,” she said, and truth be told, that’s all she ever needed to do. Fresh from her win, Rufa Mae is feeling more confident heading into her next transformation as Kitchie Nadal, who is actually her second cousin. That connection, she believes, could help her channel Kitchie more naturally onstage.
And at the heart of everything Rufa Mae does is her eight-year-old daughter, Athena—her greatest inspiration. “Siya pa rin ang priority,” she said of her child, adding that her 2026 will be all about finding time to bond and be the fun mom again. To make space for both work and motherhood, she now manages her own career and schedule.
Catch Rufa Mae on “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” airing weeknights, 7:15PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, ALLTV2, and iWant.