Brian Howell’s first glimpse into the impersonating world came at a lively Sunday gospel
meeting in southern British Columbia, led by an Elvis impersonator who said that his Elvis
costume had given new meaning to his life. The impersonating world is a hall of mirrors
through which Brian Howell has sought out myriad reflections of celebrity at every level,
from the neighbourhood gospel show, to community centres catered by Lions Clubs, and
finally to big conventions in Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida. His new book, Fame Us: Celebrity
Impersonators and the Cult(ure) of Fame (Arsenal Pulp Press), is a gathering of these refracted
images, which stand as allusions to unattainable celebrity.

“I’m promoting Paris, meeting her
fans and stuff, so I'm doing thngs
that she wouldn’t have time to do.”

“There are worse things
in the world than looking
like Johnny Depp.”

“The downside is that sometimes people
forget there’s more to me than being an
impersonator. I admit I’ve had days
when I’ve felt like a one-trick pony.”

“It’s a kick. Some people really get excited
and want to tell me stories about how
much they love the Stones or Mick.”

“You need a good sense of self to be able
to take on another person’s character,
especially when you resemble them
naturally. You have to be able to separate
where that person ends and you begin in
your daily life, and I think a lot of people
find that challenging in this business.”