A Justin Bieber impersonator caused a stir at XS Nightclub in the Wynn Las Vegas over the weekend, successfully fooling the crowd and even DJ Gryffin into believing the real pop star was in the building. The incident has since gone viral, sparking a range of reactions across the internet, from disbelief to amusement and outrage.
The impersonator, identified as Dylan Desclos, a 29-year-old from France, has been impersonating Bieber for years. Desclos and his team reportedly spent the day plotting the elaborate ruse, presenting themselves to Wynn staff as Bieber's "new management team," capitalizing on the singer's recent split with his previous management. This allowed them to gain access to the venue and eventually the stage.
DJ Gryffin, the headliner for the night, was also duped by the act. He even hyped up the crowd by announcing, "We've got Justin Bieber in the house!" before allowing Desclos to take the stage. Desclos then performed Bieber's hit song "Sorry" while the nightclub amplified the spectacle with confetti and cash showers.
However, the charade didn't last long. Wynn staff soon realized the performer was not Bieber and removed Desclos from the property. The club has since banned him for life. A Wynn and XS Nightclub spokesperson stated that Desclos gained access to the stage through "an elaborate and multi-step ruse".
Gryffin later admitted on social media that he had been fooled, joking about how "Bustin Jieber" tricked him during his set. He also humorously noted that he thought Bieber had just "gained some weight" since his last album release. In a social-media clip, Gryffin later posted: "After 4 minutes and 27 second of what sounded like Justin Bieber, I found out the worst news imaginable."
The internet has exploded with reactions to the incident. Many have expressed shock and disbelief at how Desclos managed to fool so many people. Some users online criticized Desclos for copying Bieber's tattoos and allegedly attempting to run up a large club bill, close to $10,000. Others found humor in the situation, creating memes and jokes about the fake Bieber performance. Even celebrities were caught up in the moment, with WWE superstar Charlotte Flair reportedly posting a selfie believing it was the real Bieber before quickly deleting it.
Desclos, on the other hand, claimed that his team planned the entire performance night and that he only presented himself as a lookalike. It's unclear whether Desclos' social media page was removed after the controversy or if he deactivated it following the online backlash, but it’s pretty evident that he has been toying with fans' feelings for a while now. He has even staged his own "world tour," embodying Bieber's rockstar persona. Notably, last year, a video of Desclos from a Paris subway went viral on TikTok for his uncanny resemblance to the pop star. He even caught Hailey Bieber's attention, who commented "I'm scared" on the video.
The incident raises questions about security protocols at nightclubs and the lengths some individuals will go to for attention. While some sources say that rumors are circulating that at least one XS staffer was fired and more may follow, Wynn Resorts has made no official statements to that effect. Regardless, the fake Justin Bieber performance at XS Nightclub will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most audacious pranks in recent memory, leaving the internet both amused and bewildered.
