Armando “Decoy” Muñoz, a nationally recognized street dancer, visited Bellingham on October 12, 2026, to film a collaboration with local attorney Ziad Youssef. (Courtesy photos from Decoy)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A nationally recognized street dancer who has appeared on major television programs and worked with prominent names in entertainment visited Bellingham this week for a special collaboration with local attorney Ziad Youssef.
Armando “Decoy” Muñoz, a professional dancer known for his popping, locking and robotic-style movements, traveled to Whatcom County to film a commercial project with Youssef, the founder of CrashLaw.NET.
The two filmed inside Bellis Fair Mall on Monday, October 12, performing together in front of Youssef’s recognizable billboard, which has become a familiar sight to shoppers at the Bellingham mall.
But the story behind the collaboration goes beyond the commercial itself.
In an interview with Bellingham Metro News, Youssef explained that he originally installed the billboard for a personal reason: he wanted his mother to see it while walking through the mall on her way to Macy’s.
Over time, the advertisement began receiving more attention than he had anticipated. Residents started sending him photographs of the billboard, and some even approached him in public, recognizing his face from their visits to Bellis Fair.
According to Youssef, what began as a simple gesture for his mother eventually became something of a local landmark.
More recently, he noticed renewed interest in Bellis Fair Mall, particularly through social media videos featuring nostalgic references to the 1980s and 1990s, when shopping malls were major gathering places for communities across the country.
Youssef wanted to create something that connected his billboard with that earlier era of the mall’s history.
That led him to Muñoz, whose performances draw heavily from dance styles associated with the music and street culture of those decades.
After discovering Muñoz’s videos on Instagram, Youssef reached out and asked whether he would be interested in creating a video together.
Muñoz agreed, bringing his talents to Bellingham for the first time.
Speaking directly with Bellingham Metro News, Muñoz described the experience as one he would not soon forget. He admitted that before the collaboration, he had never even heard of Bellingham.
He also praised Youssef for his hospitality, describing him as one of the most accommodating clients he has worked with.
Muñoz said Youssef made sure he was taken care of throughout his visit, adding that he would welcome the opportunity to work with him again.
The personal story behind the billboard was particularly meaningful to Muñoz.
Having grown up primarily with his mother, he said learning that Youssef originally installed the advertisement so his own mother could see it made the experience more special.
The filming took place while Bellis Fair Mall remained open to shoppers, allowing members of the public to watch the two perform together.
Muñoz recalled seeing people stop and enjoy the performance as they walked through the shopping center. For him, it was an opportunity to introduce his style of dance to an audience that might not otherwise encounter it in person.
While the visit marked his first time in Bellingham, Muñoz has spent years establishing himself in the entertainment industry.
Growing up in the Los Angeles and Phoenix areas, he began his career performing on neighborhood blocks, street corners and local stages before eventually reaching audiences around the world.
His journey into professional dancing, however, began under difficult circumstances.
Muñoz told BMN that he grew up in a household affected by family stress and limited financial resources. Dance became an emotional outlet and a way to express himself through those challenges.
His first exposure to breakdancing and popping came from watching his cousins perform at family weddings and backyard gatherings.
Those early experiences helped shape the distinctive style he is recognized for today, combining precise robotic movements with fluid transitions and sharp, controlled choreography.
Even his professional nickname has an interesting family history.
Muñoz recalled that as a child, he had a habit of sneaking snacks from his father’s refrigerator and cabinets. One day, after discovering an empty peanut can, his father jokingly referred to it as one of his “decoy cans.”
His cousin found the remark amusing and suggested that Decoy should become his nickname.
The name stuck.
Muñoz also explained that he was the youngest of his siblings, who jokingly referred to him as the decoy version of the family because of how much he resembled them.
What started as a childhood nickname eventually became the identity he would carry into his professional career.
Over the years, Muñoz has appeared on major entertainment programs, including America’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance, competing during the latter show’s 17th season.
He also cited appearances and work connected to the BET Awards, music videos involving Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, and international dance programs such as Street Dance of China and Who Is The One.
His career has included performances at major events, including the Lowrider Magazine Super Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Another notable accomplishment came when Muñoz won an $85,000 grand prize through a Carl’s Jr. competition celebrating the restaurant chain’s 85th anniversary.
His winning entry was a self-produced, dance-driven commercial that showcased the performance style he has developed throughout his career.
Despite his success, Muñoz remains focused on building his future in entertainment.
He told BMN that his priorities include teaching, pursuing new artistic collaborations and creating a lasting legacy for his son. He also hopes to expand beyond performances in his local area and participate in additional national projects.
As for the collaboration in Bellingham, Muñoz said the finished video will be shared through his Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts under the username @decoy_munoz where he has nearly half a million followers.
A specific release date has not yet been announced.
For Youssef, the project represents another chapter in the unexpected popularity of a billboard that originally had a much simpler purpose.
What began as a personal gesture for his mother has now brought a nationally recognized performer to Bellingham, connecting the nostalgic dance culture of the 1980s and 1990s with a shopping center that has been part of the community for decades.
Bellingham Metro News conducted original interviews with Armando “Decoy” Muñoz and Bellingham attorney Ziad Youssef for this report.
Images courtesy of Armando “Decoy” Muñoz
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