Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Bella Vlasis
Hi Denise Bella, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story becoming Madonna’s Hollywood Double. I was a theater kid and started dance classes at age 9 and went on to continue dancing and acting all through college. Dance, music, fashion and performing on stage were all outlets that made me come alive. I received scholarships in theater and dance in 1983 and I continued my studies through my early college years.
Then in 1985, unique opportunities presented themselves to me, which made my life turn a different corner I had not “mapped out”. MTV was the new craze and that is when the comparisons to Madonna started to begin on a daily basis.
By chance, I would be in the right place at the right time to have one door of opportunity open, leading to the next opportunity and before I knew it, I was working full time as one of the top Madonna impersonators in the nation. My Madonna tribute work led to incredible opportunities and allowing me to live my dream as a performer. In 1987 I began my own production company TRIBUTE PRODUCTIONS where I work as casting agent, producer, and book talent in films, television and for live events. I recently booked the Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis lookalikes in the SNOOP & DRE STILL GIN commercial airing on tv. and have been a part of the casting and booking process for so many incredible, creative and exciting projects. My work as Madonna has helped me learn how to help other talents get their start in entertainment and I love being a part of that process to help others dreams of working in this industry come true. Current projects include writing my 3rd book. Autobiography of my life as Madonna called DEAR MADONNA which is also in the process of being turned into a documentary with the same name. My daughter Sofia is a film maker and has been documenting my stories for 3 years now and currently in the editing process. We are both excited to work together and it’s been an amazing experience to watch my beautiful daughter in action. Look for DEAR MADONNA premiering on my YouTube platform very soon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My work as Madonna’s impersonator has been seamless for me which is why I continue to work as her double. Of course I put in the hard work of dance, voice, acting lessons to help create my act but I would say doors of opportunity (continue) to open for me. I have seen many other Madonna impersonators come and go over the years so I feel very blessed to continue my work as her double. As an agent I have that same blessing of being in the right place at the right time to be able to book some really amazing jobs through my agency. I am typically the agent who finds unique talent for major motion pictures. Helping find and cast actors and performers that the usual big casting companies look to me to find for them. I have become the “go to girl” for many casting agents in Hollywood.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Madonna impersonator, Madonna’s Hollywood Double since 1984.
During my years as Madonna’s Hollywood double, I felt so lucky to have experienced everything I could only have dream of as an “actress”. I worked in television as Madonna, star in music videos, I have been booked in national TV commercials, print advertisements, voice overs, I worked as a body parts stand-in for Madonna. TV shows used my voice to speak like her. I have been flown to private islands to perform my Madonna show for big celebrities. I have traveled the world performing live as her. I have had police escorts. I have met Presidents of Countries, and Presidents of corporate companies. I have worked with so many of my favorite music idols including Madonna herself. And of course, I have had the blessing to engage and interact with everyday people who all had a dying love for Madonna. I am most proud of my charity work as Madonna. Working with children was how I began my career as Madonna and continues to be the force of why I do what I do.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I am a native California girl, and Los Angeles has been my only home. I have traveled all over the world but to me there is no place like home. Los Angeles is a resilient city that is home to a melting pot of different cultures and people. What I like best about our city, is seeing people come together. With the recent fires and tragedy of what we are going through right now, I see Angelinos coming together like I have never seen. Donation centers, neighbors helping neighbors, animal rescues, and young people wanting to make a difference. What I like least: would have to be the traffic and seeing that our homeless situation is still in dire need of aid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tributeproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madonnadouble/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadonnaDouble
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadonnaDouble
Image Credits
Photos by Sofia Gascon, John Nerone
