Madonna Impersonator

A Madonna impersonator is an entertainer who impersonates American singer-songwriter Madonna. Professional Madonna impersonators have existed at least since the mid-1980s, and sometimes are sorted as "tribute acts". As an established artist, Madonna impersonators have seen a notable demand, many of them performing in front of thousands people and visiting several countries in their professional Madonna career as some media outlets have reported. Notable Madonna impersonators, include Venus D-Lite, Chris America and Melissa Totten. Others impressionists have included Madonna in their repertoire, such as Tracey Bell, Charlie Hides and Véronic DiCaire.

First impersonations on Madonna started with her fans, mainly young female audience when they copied Madonna-style and emulated her no later than 1985, and which were counted by millions around the world by that time. This phenomenon was later defined as the "Madonna wannabe". Prominent look-alikes contests were made and received press coverage. An example occurred in 1985 led by Macy's and had Andy Warhol and Nina Blackwood among others as judges. The winner, gained nationwide briefly fame as "the best Madonna look-alike" according to MTV. Emulation as a flattery representation remains in the Madonna fan community, which is common in fan conventions, tours, themed parties among others cultural manifestations. General, imitation to Madonna is seen in several cultural depictions, including competitions, shows and television programs.

At some point of her career, Madonna was the most-imitated woman in the world according to American journalist Ricardo Baca. Throughout the 21st century, J. Randy Taraborrelli has concurred that she remains as "one of the most emulated female performers in show business history". Madonna herself, have dedicated the song "She's Not Me" from her 2008 album ''Hard Candy'', which talks about of being emulated by another woman. The world record as the largest gathering of people dressed as Madonna at the same time in a single event is 440, registered in the Guinness World Records in 2014.

Background and origins

Madonna inspired million of her fans to dress like her in her early years. In 1985, ''Music & Media'' described that "look-a-like Madonnas popped up all over the world". Author Frank Northern Magill, explained that many women, especially young ones, wanted to emulate Madonna, in large part because "she projected an image of independence and of being unafraid to ask for what she wanted". This phenomenon was later tagged as Madonna wannabe, also coined to describe her "clones", and fandom. According to British fashion journalist Lauren Cochrane, "it was an impulse that they acted on for many decades". The impact in her emulators and influence was described by Óscar García Blesa, an editor of ''Efe Eme'':

The frenzy involved around Madonna, also called "Madonnamania", made possible to retailers opened up clothing departments inspired in Madonna's style. Macy's inaugurated Madonnaland in 1985, and many other retailers followed suit. It also proliferated various look-alike contests, like the held at Macy's Herald Square in June 1985, having Andy Warhol, Madonna's stylist Maripol, MTV contributor Nina Blackwood, and ''Madonna: Lucky Star'' author Michael McKenzie as the judges. The winner, JeanAnn Difranco of 16-years-old girl, gained nationwide fame as the best Madonna look-alike around according to Nicole Guanlao from MTV.

Professor Santiago Fouz-Hernandez wrote in ''Madonna's Drowned Worlds'' (2004), that for her emulators, there was a rodamap of designers, boutigues, stylists and personal shoppers, all to guide one's quest to become the new Madonna. He further adds, that "the list drew a map that any Madonna impersonator, from a professional drag performer to someone merely dressing for a social engagement, could follow".

The full-time Madonna impersonators have existed at least since 1985 (e,g Chris America or Denise Bella Vlasis).

Levels of imitations

Types and reviews by authors

In general, imitating Madonna have been a documented subject by media outlets. This specific art expression came from a variety of traditional general types and forms, including look-alikes, cosplays or sound-alikes and also as pastiche, parody and drag performance. While her fandom made it in amateur ways (fan conventions, themed parties, tours and other flattery forms), professional Madonna impersonators are tagged as tribute bands and also impressionists. General audience, have made it through contests, as well public personalities in other forms such as tribute shows.

Talking about gender differences, authors of ''Intercultural Communication: A Reader'' (2014) illustrated this point using Madonna's case: female impersonator will attempt to look and sound as much like Madonna as possible, to create the illusion of Madonna as a tribute to her talent. The drag queen, on the other hand, will portray an exaggerated version of Madonna, playing with her persona to distort it in humorous or ironic ways.

Justyna Stępień from University of Szczecin, also analyzed Madonna's case of impersonators and tribute bands such as all-males acts, "Mandonna" and "The Madonna". The first band, choose a kitsch representation of Madonna, in their fashion and vocal, which Stępień deemed as a "camp impersonation".

Selected cultural depictions

An author commented she is one of the "classics" female celebrities names that accumulate numerous impersonators in U.S contests. Coty Alexander, for example, have appeared in Legends in Concert, Las Vegas' longest-running tribute show. In Ibero-America, she has been performed in programs such as ''Mi nombre es...'', ''Buscando una estrella'', or both Chilean and Peruvian TV series ''Yo Soy''. In ''Tu cara me suena'' from Spain, she has been imitated multiple times, included performers by Anna Simon, Carolina Ferre, Llum Barrera, Rosa López and Lucía Jiménez.

Satirical imitation have been also documented. Actor Joaquín Reyes made a Madonna impersonation at ''La Hora Chanante'', which Spanish newspaper ''La Vanguardia'' later included as one of his best imitations on TV. Mexican trans woman performer, Alejandra Bogue ("La Bogue") dedicated a monologue series called ''No soy Madonna pero soy la Bogue'' which led to be toured in several theaters around the country. In 2022, Brazilian performer Michele Da Costa also personified Madonna at Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her show called ''Like a Virgo''. Others satirical references, include videos like "Just Lose It" by Eminem or " Like a Surgeon" and "Perform This Way" both by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

A tribute show is also vaguely another form. Spanish actress Claudia Molina was hired to be Madonna in the Spanish tribute show, ''Remember. Live tribute to Madonna''. Although Moline clarified she was an actress, not "a Madonna impersonator". Advertised events, like the opening of club Tao in 2019, used Madonna impersonators and famed attendees included Indya Moore, G-Eazy and David Arquette.

Others adopted Madonna as their identity in real life while receiving press coverage. "Madonna Badillo", a ''travesti'' woman who adopted Madonna's as her "alter ego" in her life, was a Venezuelan-born LGTB activist living in Maicao, Colombia. She received international press coverage, and was often called the "Colombian Madonna" or "Madonna from Maicao". A similar case was documented by Pedro Lemebel. In his book '' Loco afán: crónicas de sidario'' (1996), talked about "Madonna Mapuche", another ''travesti'' inspired in the singer, whom during the years of the Chilean dictatorship, aspires to resemble the singer but died of HIV/AIDS.

Various others examples were featured in books. In 1994, author Frank Ching wrote about a 25-years-old male impersonator in China, called Wang Zheng, in a context of a conservative culture saying: "A male Madonna impersonator wouldn't go over very well in most of China, but in Haikou, capital of Hainan province, the 25-year-old singer is on the cutting edge". Ukrainian activist Ulyana Bostwick cited in Tatiana Mamonova and Chandra Niles Folsom's book ''Women's Glasnost Vs. Naglost: Stopping Russian Backlash'' (1994) the case of a 23-years-old Madonna-lip sync imitator called Medea from Latvia. According to Bostwick, her Madonna performances allowed her to be reviewed by several foreign and Soviets newspapers, but her appearance as a Madonna impersonator caused her problems, because she did not dressed like the average "Soviet woman". In addition, William Gibson refers to a pornographic virtual reality program featuring a Madonna impersonator named "McDonna".

More cultural references include films. Is the case of '' Without You I'm Nothing'' which includes a brief scene of an impersonator, and '' Like a Virgin'' (2006) which plot is about a trans woman Madonna impersonator. In '' Weird: The Al Yankovic Story'' (2022), Evan Rachel Wood plays Madonna.

Examples of professional Madonna impersonators

The following is a selected style-list of Madonna impersonators whom received press coverage or gained recognition in their industry.

* Chris America: She began professionally in 1984. Has performed as Madonna at venues around the world including the White House and appeared in television programs of hosts like Oprah Winfrey and documentaries. America was also the headlining for many years at the Madonnathon event in New York and also commented during her career, she has been in birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, weddings, holiday parties, corporate events or fan meetings. According to herself, she was the first Madonna impersonator to gain nationwide recognition.
* Denise Bella Vlasis: Denise began her Madonna career professionally in 1985. In 2009, Greek Reporter named her the most successful Madonna impersonator.
* Melissa Totten: She started around 1991 or 1992. In 2013, Totten released a tribute album called ''Forever Madonna''. ''The Indian Express'' referred to her as "arguably the best Madonna impersonator in the world". As of 2011, she visited more than 30 countries and front a 2 million attendance. Sometimes, Totten replaced Madonna in official events and acted as the her "official double".
* "Carolina Baily" (b. Elías Figueroa): Is a cross-dresser Madonna look-alike impersonator. He is known as the "official" Chilean Madonna double. According to ''The West Australian'', the first time he performed as Madonna to an audience was in 1996 at the age of 15 and professionally since 2001. Baily gained nationwide attention after Madonna's first concert in Chile, Sticky & Sweet Tour in 2008, and quickly received the attention of international outlets such as ''Rolling Stone'', ''Daily Mail'' or '' The Sun'' as well. Around this time, he had weekly performances up to three times in front of crowds of up to 20,000 and earnings of more than three times the average monthly wage in Chile.
* Verônica Pires: Is the official Brazilian impersonator approved by Warner. She started her Madonna professional career in 1990.
* " Venus D-Lite" (b. Adam Guerra): Media outlets such as MTV and VH1 have called Guerra as the number one Madonna impersonator.
* Rinaldo Borba: A male impersonator, according to ''La Stampa'' is the official Madonna cosplayer in Brazil. The first time he performed as Madonna to an audience was in 1995, and professionally since the late-1990s.
* "Madiva": A MTV personality, gained a brief notoriety after being mentioned by Madonna around 2003. Her official website, Madonna.com called him "New York's most infamous Madonna impersonator".
* "Queerdonna" (b. Greg Tanian): Drag Madonna impersonator known in the New York nightlife of the 1990s and for his "super-sized" 400-plus-pound. American journalist Michael Musto commented that "Queerdonna proves that anyone can be Madonna and, conversely, that Madonna is in everyone".
* Tasha Leaper: Leaper, from United Kingdom, is defined more an artist tribute than impersonator itself. ''Hindustan Times'' named her "one of the most recognisable Madonna impersonators", while Carlos Sala from '' La Razón'' referred to her as "Madonna's most recognized impersonator".
* "Diana Groissman" (b. Pablo Moscoso): Chilean cross-dresser Madonna impersonator, whom started in the late-1990s. He performed in several locations in Chile, and also in Argentina. Due his popularity appeared in advertisements.
* Sandra Amato: From Argentina, was described by national newspaper ''La Nación'' in 1996, as an "apocryphal" and "very vernacular" version of Madonna. In 2019, was part of the TV special program ''Dobles de por vida'' of ''Telefe Noticias''.
* Johni Ray: According to a 1995 publication from ''Nevada'' she started around 1987. Up that point of the publication, she visited 15 countries.
* Coty Alexander: While also performs other female celebrities, she is more known as a Madonna impersonator. According to Legends in Concert, producers of one Madonna's tour documentary followed her around for three days shooting her life as a Madonna impersonator in Las Vegas.
* Jimmy Moore: While also performs other female celebrities, Moore is best known for his Madonna personification. He gets thumbs up from singer's inner circle, like her manager Guy Oseary. ''Montreal Gazette'' called Moore in a headline as a "Fame Montreal Madonna impersonator". He was also voted the best Madonna impersonator by several Canadian media outlets. In his official website, he recognized that made himself known to the nightclub world thanks to his impersonation of Madonna. He began to personified Madonna since 2000, attracting an andience of half a million spectators across Canada and the United States.

"Beardonna" (a portmanteau of slang word bear and Madonna) is a satirical impersonation of Madonna made by Rob Donadio. Lisa Antoinette, a Madonna impersonator from the United Kingdom, was voted in her native country as "the best female pop star look-alike in the United Kingdom" according to a 2006 article of ''The Malta Independent''. Similarly, Madonna tribute act Jodie was voted UK's number one Madonna tribute by The Agents' Association of Great Britain.

Kelly Michaels, is according to Sherilyn Connelly of ''SF Weekly'', known "as one of the better Madonna impersonators in the late '80s". Connelly described that she has a "serious Madonna fixation". In 1993, ''Los Angeles Times'' reported about Blond Exhibition a group of Madonna impersonators who "do every look Madonna has ever done".

Others

Various professional celebrities impressionists have included Madonna in their repertoire. This include Tracey Bell, Charlie Hides and Véronic DiCaire.

Another example, is Holly Beavon. From her Madonna personification, she has been described as one of the world's top Madonna look alikes and has been featured in over 30 television appearances resembling her image. She made her debut as Madonna with Jenny Jones and for the American Cabaret Theatre. She appeared in "Weird Al" Yankovic's video "Perform This Way". Elaine Chez was according to ''The New York Observer'' one of the first celebrity impersonators to appear onto the scene in the New York of the 1980s. In her acts, she later included Madonna. Athena Reich, has also performs Madonna.

Fátima Flórez is another celebrities impersonator that have included Madonna in her acts. For its part, Chad Michaels known for her Cher performs, confessed he tried first to do Madonna, but was not convinced and preferred to focus on Cher.

Impact

At some point of her career, Madonna was the most-imitated woman in the world according to American journalist Ricardo Baca. Throughout the 21st century, J. Randy Taraborrelli has concurred that she is "one of the most emulated female performers in show business history". Spanish-language website Algarabía, included her in a 2017 listicle of the ten "most imitated celebrities in competitions, shows and television programs".

In 2019, ''Hindustan Times'' commented that "for a woman tribute artist, there's probably no better muse than Madonna", adding that there are costumes, and also music, from "over three decades of chartbusters". Madonna is aware of being often emulated. She dedicated a song about the topic; "She's Not Me", from her 2008 album ''Hard Candy'' explored that idea of being emulated by another woman. Prior years, during the promotion of her 1994 single "Secret" she shared in the Net, an audiofile where she recorded a part saying: "It's Madonna. Often imitated, but never duplicated". Media outlets such as ''Los Angeles Times'' and Wonderwall have concurred also saying that she is often imitated but never duplicated. At the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, there was a special tribute to Madonna with dozen Madonna-dressed drag queens. Her response was: "All I have to say is that it takes a real man to fill my shoes".

The world record as the largest gathering of people dressed as Madonna at the same time in a single event is 440. It occurred on 30 August 2014, by the 2014 Fool's Paradise Drag Party in Fire Island Pines, New York. This feat was listed by both Guinness World Records and World Record Academy.

In 1993, ''Australasian gay & lesbian law journal'' informed about a practice within parts of the gay male community, seen with the arrival of Madonna impersonators whose practice is to (re)appropriate Madonna's (prior) appropriation of other aspects of gay culture. In a study of the Madonna fandom, Joanne Garde-Hansen of University of Warwick wrote in her book ''Media and Memory'' (2011):

Madonna herself, has used the image of others historical figures and modern celebrities, most notably Marilyn Monroe which assistant professor S. Paige Baty, and historian Robert D. Richardson conclude that she reproduces herself as Marilyn in outfits, hairstyles, and mannerisms. However, Madonna has been identified by some observers as the "Queen-of-Seeming-as-Being herself". In this regard, Italian professor Massimiliano Stramaglia from University of Macerata, noticed other scholars comments about it, as some reported that she "never stops looking like other stars, including Monroe". An author described her as a "replicant" in the sense she is an "image of images, mirror of mirrors", that "re-multipies and re-changes and dissolves itself". On the other hand, during her Atlanta gig of her The MDNA Tour, Madonna told her audience: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery".

See also

* Fashion of Madonna

References

Book sources

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External links

Official website for Madonna

{{Madonna

Impersonator
Fashion of Madonna
Tribute acts