Meet Denise Bella Vlasis of Tribute Productions Talent & Entertainment in Encino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Bella Vlasis.

Denise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started dancing at age 9 and went onto continue studying dance 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 so I continued to study both theater arts, dance and fashion design all through college.

Then life happened, and unique opportunities presented themselves to me, which made my life turn a different corner I had not “mapped out”.

It was the rise of the MTV generation, and the 1980s were in full swing. Suddenly I found myself being compared to some “blonde singer on MTV named Madonna” everywhere I went I would heard the comments “do you know who you look like”…and then just like that…my life changed.

I happened to stumble upon a casting call for someone to play the part of this “Madonna” girl in a big show that toured all over the world. I thought I would try my luck and show up to this audition to see what possible opportunity my similarities could bring. With a make shift costume thrown on, and a hand painted mole on my face, mom drove me up to LA from Orange County to audition. Mom always taught me to “say yes” when going to auditions so I faked my way through a couple performances of songs I didn’t know the lyrics to, and at the end of the day- I got the news “I got the part”.

Needless to say, I went home and studied every ounce of “Madonna” and every movement, laugh, blink of the eye. I had discovered a new profession I had never heard of and I was going to take this magical mystery tour and make my mark as Madonna’s double.

During my 28 years as Madonna’s Hollywood double, I felt so lucky to have experienced everything I could only have dream of as an “actress”. I booked television show after television show, I got to star in music videos, TV commercials, print advertisements, voice overs, I even filmed parts of my body as a stand-in for Madonna. TV shows used my voice to speak like her and replace her in some shows. I got to travel the world performing live as her. I got to meet Presidents of Countries, and Presidents of companies. I got to engage and interact with everyday people who all had a dying love for Madonna. Who could have imagined this little resemblance would change my life!?

During my work as Madonna’s double, I had many agents calling me asking if I could “help them find” other talents like myself. I would find talents, train them, show them the ropes and help the other agents book these talents. I did this for years until someone told me I should be making the money these agents are making since I am the one doing most of the work and discovering new talent for their roster.

Flash forward to 1989 and the idea of having my own Casting and Production company came to fruition and TRIBUTE PRODUCTIONS TALENT was born. Since my “on the job training” as Madonna taught me so much about the entertainment industry- I felt well prepared to tackle this next adventure. Since those days I have worked as a casting agent working side by side with some pretty big names in Hollywood. I have done casting for feature films, TV, videos, and print.

I eventually started working as a show producer of live shows and my husband and partner handles the music department. We love being creative together and are constantly building and bringing new ideas to life.

In 1999 I also created the VERY FIRST retro pin up girl modeling agency MRS BELLA’S DOLLS which sparks all the nostalgia of yesteryear combining a touch of today’s cutting-edge style. I hand pick all our models and dancers and hand create each costume you see on our girls.

I have partnered with most of the top cosmetic companies, celebrity designers, television studios, and other event planners to create unique and unforgettable experiences for them. Branding both custom costumes and custom branded candy girl trays.

Today, I combine each leg of my journey into all that I do- taking pieces of wisdom of what “Madonna” taught me and bringing it to life once again through new performances and new ideas.

I feel so lucky to have had so many doors open for me along the way- and after writing 2 books (Made You Look- Thrillinium Books and You’ve Got The Look- Trafford Publishing) about my experiences, I continue to help others break into the entertainment (and lookalike) industry. You can see my YouTube channel THE LOOKALIKE LADY and watch me give free advice to anyone looking to break into the lookalike industry. I can say my life has been a unique and colorful one and I count my blessings every single day.

Now a mother to my “best work yet”- my precious daughter Sofia who is already showing signs of continuing the legacy- here’s to the love of the next generation!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles are realizing “great ideas will be copied” – but this typically forces us to keep inventing to stay ahead of the copycats

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Both Tribute Productions Talent and Mrs. Bella’s Dolls are innovative and we specialize in “hard to find” talent and entertainment. Many times, we will cast and costume acts even big name casting companies cannot find to be able to help cast the right talents for them.

What were you like growing up?
I was a young sensitive soul who loved animals (still work in animal rescue).

I loved to dance and loved to think deeply about life.

Loved to be goofy and laugh.

I have not changed at all 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tributeproductions.com and www.mrsbellasdolls.com
• Phone: 818-903-7158 and 310-663-3349
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tributeproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TributeProductions/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TributeProds
• Other: https://twitter.com/mrsbellasdolls

Image Credit:
Tribute Productions 2017

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