For four decades, a performer from the U.S. has made a career out of paying tribute to the Queen of Pop. Now, she has a world record to show for it. Denise Bella Vlasis has officially been certified by Guinness World Records for the longest career as a Madonna impersonator, a dream she has been living for an incredible 40 years and 119 days.
As of her record verification in May 2025, Bella Vlasis has been channeling the iconic singer almost as long as Madonna herself has been a star. Madonna released her first single, “Everybody,” in 1982, and just a few years later, Bella Vlasis’s own career began—almost by accident.
It all started when her mother asked the then high school student to perform some Madonna songs at a holiday party for foster children. That impromptu show ignited a passion that would lead to a lifelong profession.
“I became the ‘Madonna girl’ who visited children in hospitals,” Bella Vlasis told Guinness World Records. “I had no idea that work would lead me to a very successful career as her double.”
Since that pivotal moment, she has performed in countless shows, starred in TV commercials, and even had the opportunity to work alongside her idol. The veteran performer, who is also an author and the founder of her own production company, Tribute Productions, has dedicated her life to embodying the very essence of Madonna.
Her longevity is a testament to her dedication, but also to the enduring power of the pop legend herself. Bella Vlasis has used her career not just to entertain, but to inspire others and to bring joy to fans, embodying Madonna’s own message of courage and self-belief.
