Cybele Malinowski's 'DEEPFAKE' Captures Celebrity Impersonators in Las Vegas and LA
Cybele Malinowski, an Australian photographer, presents her series 'DEEPFAKE,' which features celebrity impersonators from Las Vegas and Los Angeles, delving into themes of identity, performance, and the American dream. Among the impersonators are Cher, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Prince, Marilyn Monroe, and Tom Cruise, captured in scenes that contrast their legendary images with ordinary life. For instance, Annika, who impersonates Cher, is depicted on a suburban street, while Coty, as Madonna, is photographed in a penthouse adorned in a Jean Paul Gaultier corset. Malinowski himself portrays Elvis in a hotel room. Other notable figures include Prince in the foothills, Alicia as Marilyn near the Hollywood sign, and Ethan as Tom Cruise in another hotel setting. This photo essay appears in The Guardian, emphasizing the influence of celebrity culture.
Key facts
- Photographer Cybele Malinowski created the series 'DEEPFAKE' featuring celebrity impersonators.
- The series includes impersonators of Cher, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Prince, Marilyn Monroe, and Tom Cruise.
- Cher impersonator Annika is depicted on all fours on suburban Las Vegas pavement, an homage to Miranda July's 'All Fours'.
- Madonna impersonator Coty is a real estate agent by day and posed in a friend's penthouse above the Las Vegas Strip wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier corset.
- Elvis impersonator Malinowski photographed herself with an Elvis in a Las Vegas hotel room and created a video work titled 'Run Elvis Run'.
- Prince is shown in suburban Las Vegas foothills, with the drama of his persona holding despite not being the real Prince.
- A Cher impersonator waits in a Circus Circus hotel room; the building behind her was demolished the day after the shoot.
- Marilyn impersonator Alicia is photographed in front of the Hollywood sign and walking her dogs on Melrose Avenue.
- Tom Cruise impersonator Ethan, a real estate agent, is photographed in a West Hollywood hotel room, referencing the Oprah couch moment.
- The series was featured in The Guardian as a photo essay, with images from an exhibition in Sydney.
Entities
Artists
- Cybele Malinowski
- Annika
- Coty
- Alicia
- Ethan
- Cher
- Madonna
- Elvis Presley
- Prince
- Marilyn Monroe
- Tom Cruise
- Miranda July
Institutions
- The Guardian
Locations
- Las Vegas
- United States
- Los Angeles
- Hollywood
- Melrose Avenue
- West Hollywood
- Sydney
- Australia