They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – and many celebrities have gotten their fair share of imitations. Celebrity impersonators have been around for decades, so that’s nothing new – but it seems they’ve evolved from your typical “Michael Jackson” cosplay street act to almost near-identical copies of the real deal.
If you’re a huge fan of your favourite celeb, chances are, you can tell the difference between the real deal and the Grade A copy – but perhaps these examples might have you second-guessing. Here are some crazy examples of when a celebrity impersonator went above and beyond with their copying (and also when they went too far):
Jay Chou – Hei Lun
Given the insane popularity of the king of Mandopop, it’s no surprise that Jay Chou has impersonators trying to get even a smidge of his fame. One of the singer’s most notable impersonators is Hei Lun, who became an internet sensation after “performing” at live events as Jay Chou. Funnily enough, the ticket prices to Hei Lun’s show go higher the further the audience is from the stage because that’s when the impersonator looks most like the real deal.
Ariana Grande – Paige Niemann
Many Arianators may already be familiar with American internet personality Paige Niemann, who became famous for being an Ariana Grande impersonator. Paige is so committed to impersonating the “34+35” singer that she even replicated many of Ariana’s iconic looks and moments, including her wedding photos. Unfortunately, some fans believe Paige has gone too far with her cosplay after she reportedly started an OnlyFans account, selling content cosplaying as Ariana.
Justin Bieber – Brad Sousa
Of course, Justin Bieber would also have an impersonator – because who wouldn’t want to experience his popularity, especially at the height of Biebermania. Besides Kate McKinnon, who plays the pop singer on Saturday Night Live, another well-known JB impersonator was Brad Sousa. Many fans have been “tricked” by Brad’s adventures as Justin, including when he walked around New York City, causing trouble in public.
Taylor Swift – Ashley Leechin
Renowned singer-songwriter Taylor Swift also has impersonators – but Ashley Leechin is arguably the most popular. The social media personality also makes a living from copying Taylor and even made public appearances as the “Blank Space” vocalist. While Ashley’s resemblance to Taylor initially amused the Swifties, many fans have since criticised the former nurse, alleging that her obsession with copying the singer, from her appearance to her mannerisms, has become unhealthy.
Jackson Wang – Zhao Liangliang
K-pop superstar Jackson Wang is no stranger to impersonators as well – but one particular copycat of his caused so many problems that his team had to step in. The impersonator is Zhao Liangliang, a Douyin influencer who went viral for performing and interacting with fans in a club as the Hong Kong-born star. Unfortunately, Liangliang was allegedly sent a warning letter from TEAM WANG asking him to stop impersonating Jackson because his actions may damage the GOT7 member’s image.
