impersonators

An impersonator is a person who imitates another person or character, often to entertain, perform, or assume a false identity. Impersonation can occur in legitimate contexts such as stage performance, television, and live events, as well as in deceptive or criminal activities. Distinctions are commonly made between entertainment impersonation, which highlights mimicry of appearance, voice, and behavior for artistic effect, and fraudulent impersonation, which aims to deceive others or gain access to resources.

In entertainment, impersonators or impressionists recreate the likeness, voice, and mannerisms of notable figures or fictional characters. They perform in clubs, on television, at conventions, or in corporate events, using makeup, costumes, and vocal technique to evoke the target persona. Such performances are typically disclosed as impersonation to audiences and are governed by rights related to likeness and copyright.

Malicious or non-consensual impersonation involves attempting to deceive others by presenting oneself as someone else. This can take the form of identity theft, social engineering, or fraud, where a caller, message, or online account pretends to be a trusted individual. Digital impersonation has grown with the use of deepfake technology, voice synthesis, and forged social media profiles, raising concerns about privacy, reputational harm, and security.

Legal and ethical considerations vary by jurisdiction but commonly address issues of consent, misrepresentation, fraud, privacy, and reputational harm. Platforms and institutions often implement verification procedures and policies to curb impersonation, and individuals are advised to verify identities through independent channels when encountering unfamiliar requests or claims.

Overall, impersonators operate across a spectrum from legitimate performance to unlawful deception, with detection and regulation evolving alongside advances in technology and media.