Meet Denise Bella Vlasis

We recently connected with Denise Bella Vlasis and have shared our conversation below.

Denise Bella, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

The journey of finding my purpose was as simple as not only following my heart but listening to it.
The way in which each of us can find purpose in life is to actually tune in to the things in life that light us up. Even if you think there would not be a way to make a living from these things you love—I would say go within and begin to take note of when your body reacts with joy, and you feel your heart lift– those are the things nudging you to listen.
All my life, I paid attention to when I felt alive the most– and how I felt when I did certain things in my life.
As I got older, I began to contemplate how I could best bring those elements of the things I loved to do into my career.
I always wanted to dance, and perform and share that with the people I love and find a bigger purpose with what I was doing–and that is what I knew made me happy. But how would I begin to make that my career choice? I began to study, take classes and put in the work with my performing talents. As I worked to become a stronger performer, I looked for ways in which I could give and share my performing talents. I wrote letters to children’s hospitals, and charities for children and the next thing I knew– I was at the bedside of children singing to them as Madonna. The children did not separate that I was not the real Madonna. They believed Madonna came to perform for them. My heart lit up knowing I was doing something bigger than I could have imagined– combining both my love of performing and finding a more meaningful way to perform. Bringing the two elements together indeed helped me find the road to my purpose in life and as I shared my performing with others-doors of opportunity began to open for me in UN-expected ways.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My career began as I listened to daily comments of “do you know who you look like” and “do you know who you remind me of”. Simple daily comments allowed me to find a niche way in which I began my work as Madonna’s Hollywood double. My performing life unfolded as MTV made it’s debut, and more and more people began to compare me to Madonna.
My hospital visits as Madonna began to make headline news and before I knew it I had all kinds of requests to visit sick children and then work offers performing as Madonna began. I was not looking for this kind of work, but it seemed to be fated for me and now over 40 years later I look back on an incredible career as Madonna’s impersonator and Hollywood double realizing it brought me to so many places I could have never imagined. From world tours, to performing for celebrities. Flown in private jets with industry icons, to booking feature films, TV shows and even standing-in for Madonna and being hired as her decoy. My 40 year career as Madonna’s impersonator opened doors for me and I believe it was destined. I started my own production company (2 companies) TRIBUTE PRODUCTIONS where I produce, cast, and book unique talent for film, TV, and big celebrity and corporate events (including for Madonna.)
Working as Madonna’s impersonator also allowed me to write 2 books and almost 3 as I am writing my autobiography now DEAR MADONNA which will be available around August 2025. My daughter is a film maker and is currently in the finishing stages of a film documentary of my story and journey as Madonna. How could I have ever known following my heart could open so many doors?

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

3 qualities that were impactful:
FOCUS AND PURPOSE- thinking about the business side to entertainment and staying focused on what goals I had and ways to manifest them. Tuning out haters or naysayers and staying focused on my goals. Putting in constant work in what I did (dance classes, singing lessons, auditions). Working on my craft and making sure to find ways to market and create my work into a business.

DOING WHAT YOU LOVE- we live in a time where the sky is the limit with finding new and creative ways to make a living. The old ways are out and it’s time we share ideas of thinking outside the box in what we do in life–

SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW -and give it away as much as you can. Give what you do/know. Share your information with others and help people think in ways that will inspire them. Offer what you do for free- your random acts of kindness will create a ripple.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Madonna!

MADONNA: for being a pioneer and fearless woman who has lived a life of focus, determination and courage. Madonna taught me through being her authentic self that I too could be a female that could have drive, ambition and a life of setting my own rules. As I emulated Madonna in my work, I learned along the way how to be confidant and unapologetic for living a life the way I wanted. Madonna was always my mentor for my work and career and I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned along my journey and to Madonna for being Madonna.

Of course MOM for showing me how to think outside the box and to live life loving what I do and of course sharing that with the world. To have a giving heart and creative spirit. To believe all things are possible-

MY DAUGHTER SOFIA for reminding me to get back up and to keep creating. She taught me to think and believe in impossible things- and after Doctors told me I would never get pregnant due to my age- Sofia and I showed doctors that people are more than numbers and statistics. Sofia ignites ideas and inspired me every day.

MICHAEL BECKWITH- for helping me learn and remember life through his spiritual teachings. I find it so important to have an inspiring voice of reason and clarity in life as its easy to get caught up in the nonsense sometimes. Michael always leads me back to truth and the heart and I love him for that.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photos: Sofia Vlasis-Gascon, John Nerone

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