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Back in 1988 when Melissa Totten was approached to do an occasional lookalike for celebrity themed corporate events, she did not have the slightest idea that she would be making a full-fledged career out of it. “I was in Columbia University, studying to be an Advertising Copywriter. Never did I think of wanting to be an entertainer,” recalls Melissa, who recently made a stop in the city, adding, “It felt like playing dress up for beer money. I had no idea that there was a whole industry out there.”
Then, in 1991, newspapers started writing about “Madonna sightings”, which was, in reality “Melissa sightings”. Following this amusing incident were a host of interviews which brought Melissa to light as a Madonna impersonator, and also brought her a long list of fans.But, how did this turn into a career? To which Melissa shares, “For the last three credits at the University, the head of Public Relations department challenged me to market myself as a Madonna impersonator.” To Melissa’s luck, at that time, a small tribute show production was auditioning for anyone who looked like someone famous. “I went for the audition and came back with a six-month contract for a Cruise. I would be singing live,” smiles Melissa.
Since then she has travelled around the world performing and entertaining Madonna fans. But, does it bother her that she has made it big by impersonating a celebrity? To which Melissa explains, “Not at all.
When I am on stage, I am singing Madonna’s songs, but I am still myself.” This being her first time in Hyderabad, Melissa was elated by the response she received by the audience. “I sang a bit of classics and contemporary. The audience was up for it during my performances. My experience in Hyderabad and India has been fantastic,” she signs off.
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