What is an ‘Aura Battle’? Young Mexicans turn confidence into a competition

Young Mexicans are turning confidence into competition in a new social media trend.

Known as “Aura Battles”, the contests see participants face off with creative, funny and entertaining moves to prove who has the most “aura”.

For 16-year-old Kaled Rosales Salazar, who won a recent battle in Mexico City, the experience has brought more than just a cash prize.

“I do like being myself, you know, making a fool of myself," he shares. "I don't really care what people think or say about me, because no matter what you do or don't do, people are going to criticize you anyway. So I thought, why not? If I could do this for free at home, I might as well do it for a reward, right?”

In the latest final, Kaled was chosen as the winner by the judges and received 2,000 Mexican pesos (approx. €100).

What exactly makes someone win an “Aura Battle”?

Fourteen-year-old Carlos Irving Quintana, known as “Thanos”, says creativity and entertainment are key.

“It's based on who does the most creative, funniest and most entertaining moves, on the "respect," I mean playful, tongue-in-cheek moves that are funny.”

For organiser Aldhir Gonzalez, the competition is ultimately about self-confidence.

“Whoever has the most confidence. I would say it's kind of a battle of ego and self-confidence, not ego in a negative sense, but rather who has the confidence to believe they're the best, to dance the best and show off their moves. I think that’s the real battle right now.”

The organisers say they spotted the trend gaining momentum online and wanted to move quickly.

As “Aura Battles” continue to grow online, confidence and self-expression are becoming the main ingredients of the trend.

Check out the video above for a look into what it takes to win an "Aura Battle".