A MADONNA lookalike is so convincing she charges up to £24,000 for a single appearance.
Chris America, 51, has been impersonating the pop star for 32 years and has appeared on magazine covers, billboards and TV shows around the world.
She sticks to a strict work-out regime and diet to maintain a figure resembling the muscular singer's and even had a gap drilled between her front teeth to copy her signature smile.
To keep up with Madge's ever-changing image, Chris, from Washington D.C., has 60 different wigs and 200 outfits.
She said: "I work hard to be the best impersonator I can be.
"Madonna regularly comes out with new looks so I'm constantly investing in new costumes and wigs.
"And Madonna's famous for her fit and lean physique so I maintain a strict, healthy diet too.
"But I'm so proud and honoured to have the career that I've had.
"People hire me when they can't hire Madonna herself and it's wonderful to make her fans happy."
Since she was discovered while working for a singing telegram company after graduating from high school in 1984 she has carved out a successful career thanks to her striking resemblance to the Queen of Pop.
Chris explained: "Madonna's career was beginning to take off and she was appearing on MTV.
"My agent commented on my likeness to her and offered me the opportunity to do some lookalike work."
Her first gig was at a teenager's house where she dressed up like the star and sang a collection of her hits.
She said: "When I was performing there, the young girl was smiling and enjoying herself and I noticed her parents were crying.
"As I left, her parents told me that the girl's sister had committed suicide months earlier and they hadn't seen her smile.
"It made me realise how much happiness you can bring to people's lives as a lookalike.
"However, I never expected that I would have such longevity in my career and be working as Madonna impersonator 32 years later."
Chris now charges between £800 to £24,000 per appearance.
She was even hired to be the model for the mold of Madonna's statue at The Hollywood Wax Museum in California.
In 1991 she appeared as her alter ego on the cover of Esquire magazine, as the real Madonna was unavailable.
She said: "They knew their magazine would sell if her image was on the front so they put a casting call for lookalikes.
"I auditioned and got the gig.
"Esquire went for a Madonna and Child theme for the cover and that issue of the magazine got the third highest editorial response ever at the time.
"It was an amazing experience."
Though she has come close on several occasions, Chris has never actually met her hero.
Married for 14 years, Chris admits her job comes at a price.
She explained: "I just spent over $15,000 (£10,000) replacing costumes that had become worn due to travelling and performances.
"I also take voice lessons so I can give the best performance possible.
"Impersonating Madonna is a pricey career to be in."
Chris will appear in documentary Mad For Madonna, released online in the coming months.
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