Woman Seeks Fame as Mao Impersonator
Chen Yan, a 51-year-old Chinese woman wowed crowds over the weekend as she appeared in a Sichuan province mall dressed and made up as Chairman Mao. Chen has been making appearances around China as the “first female Mao impersonator” and hopes to get work as the first “Mao Zedong actress,” in her own words. Shoppers stopped to take photos of the impersonator, who waved to the crowd with a Mao-like outstretched arm. Chen donned Mao’s trademark grey suit and even wore the Chairman’s chin mole. I mean, it’s conceivable that Chen had the very same mole as Mao, but one can only assume that it is makeup. Chen was discovered in 2005 by a beautician who saw striking similarities between Chen and the Chairman’s cheekbones. The beautician saw an opportunity to cash in and gave Chen the makeover, or as I prefer, a “Maokover.” Reportedly, Chen spends 800 yuan ($100) on makeup for each appearance. She told the press from a hair salon in the Sichuan city of Mianyang that the biggest difference between her and the big guy is the height difference. Chen is 5′1″ while Mao was 5′9″. For her appearances, Chen wears specially designed shoes to make her taller. She also started smoking Mao’s unfiltered cigarettes. Chen did not comment as to what she does with her breasts when she appears as Mao. I’d imagine, based solely on my experience watching Boys Don’t Cry, that she wraps them up with a giant Ace bandage. According to the Chinese media, there are strict rules governing the impersonation of China’s leaders. An impersonator must seek approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (the censorship police) and ask permission of the leader’s family.
•Reuters: Woman Seeks Fame as Face of Mao
•Yahoo: Photos