Record-breaking Madonna impersonator releases memoir about career paying tribute to star
A Madonna impersonator with a record-breaking career has released a memoir about all the amazing opportunities paying tribute to her idol has brought her.
Denise Bella Vlasis (USA) was verified last May to have the longest career as a Madonna impersonator at an incredible 40 years 119 days.
And her career is only going from strength to strength.
Now, she’s released a memoir all about it.
Dear Madonna: The Journey of Living in the Shadow of the World's Most Famous Star is on sale now through various retailers, including Amazon.
The description reads: “By bringing Madonna to life through a performance, something magical began to happen for Denise and the people around her. Being Madonna brought hope, determination and a belief in herself that only Madonna could teach.
“Denise has captivated audiences with her uncanny likeness and electric performances from the early days of lace gloves and boy toy belts to the edgy reinventions of Madonna's later years. An undeniable career spanning over four decades from the stages of Las Vegas to the countryside of Japan. Denise's career has taken her on unforeseen paths of working in film, television, voice-over, decoy, stand-in jobs and on stage.”
Bella’s career began just a few years after Madonna’s when her mom called on her to help entertain some foster care kids at a holiday party.
A keen singer and dancer, then in high school, she thought performing a few Madonna songs would go down a treat.
But little did she know, it would kickstart a decades-long and record-breaking career that even saw her meet her idol.
Bella previously told us: “I became the ‘Madonna girl’ who visited children in hospitals. I had no idea that work would lead me to a very successful career as her double.”
She added: “Performing as Madonna, I was able to find my own identity ironically and able to find my own true sense of self, strength and courage within myself.
“Madonna helped me step up and dare to try new things as a performer. I had a way of hiding under her brave face, when I did not feel brave, so I could have a chance to sing and dance and be in the spotlight.”
Read more stories like this in our Arts and Entertainment section.
As well as her book, Bella is sharing her amazing story in a documentary, also entitled Dear Madonna, that’s being directed by her filmmaker daughter Sofia Vlasis-Gascon.
Bella said: “I love Madonna for so many reasons. Along with her incredible music spanning four decades, I love how she has lived her life as she wanted to live it.
“She has made no apologies for living an authentic life. Going against the norms of the stereotypes of women, Madonna leads her own way and that allowed so many of us to find our own courage to be who we are. Madonna helped me grow up and find my voice, when others tried to close it down.”