Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Sadik Hossain

Fake Justin Bieber fools Vegas nightclub staff, racks up $10K bar tab before getting lifetime ban

A Justin Bieber impersonator managed to trick staff at one of Las Vegas’s most exclusive nightclubs into believing he was the real pop star. The incident happened on Saturday night at XS Nightclub inside the Wynn Las Vegas resort. The fake Bieber not only fooled security and staff but also performed on stage before being discovered and banned for life.

The impersonator, identified as Dylan Desclos from France, successfully convinced the nightclub that he was the genuine article. He even managed to get on stage during DJ Gryffin’s set and performed Bieber’s hit song “Sorry” in front of a packed crowd. The audience believed they were witnessing a surprise performance by the real Justin Bieber and cheered enthusiastically.

A Wynn spokesman said the fake Justin Bieber and his team pulled off “an elaborate and multi-step ruse” that fooled everyone at the venue. According to Review Journal, before being discovered and removed from the resort, Desclos and his advance team had racked up approximately $10,000 in bar tabs at the exclusive nightclub. The bill was reportedly paid before he received his lifetime ban from all Wynn properties.

How the elaborate scam unfolded step by step

The scheme began on Friday when Desclos was spotted around Las Vegas, posing for photos with fans at shopping centers and designer stores. This created buzz throughout the city that Justin Bieber was in town, setting the stage for his nightclub appearance. His team reportedly used Bieber’s recent management changes to their advantage, telling venue staff they were “new to the team” to explain any confusion about protocols.

The 29-year-old French impersonator has been copying Bieber’s look for years, including getting the same tattoos as the pop star and maintaining similar hairstyles. He kept his sunglasses on throughout the performance, which helped hide his identity in the dark nightclub environment. The loud music and party atmosphere also made it difficult for people to notice any differences in his voice or appearance.

DJ Gryffin, who was performing that night, fell for the act completely. He enthusiastically announced to the crowd “We’ve got Justin Bieber in the house!” before inviting the impersonator on stage. The DJ later apologized for the mistake, saying the dark venue and loud music made it hard to tell the difference. The performance included special effects like gold ribbons being fired over the crowd, making it feel like a genuine celebrity appearance.

Past incidents show pattern of celebrity impersonation

This is not the first time Dylan Desclos has successfully fooled people into thinking he was Justin Bieber. The French impersonator has been perfecting his act for over eight years and has appeared at various events around the world. In 2024, a video of him on a Paris subway went viral, with even Hailey Bieber commenting that she was “scared” by how similar he looked to her husband.

Desclos has built an entire career around impersonating Bieber, complete with social media accounts and even his own “world tour” of performances. He has deliberately gotten tattoos to match Bieber’s and studies the singer’s mannerisms and style. His Instagram account was reportedly taken down after the Las Vegas incident, possibly due to the controversy and online backlash that followed.

The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at high-end Las Vegas venues. Reports suggest that at least one XS staff member was fired over the incident, with more terminations possibly coming. Some guests had paid significant amounts for tables under the impression they would see the real Justin Bieber perform, leading to potential legal issues for the venue. The Wynn reportedly had to compensate customers once it became clear the real Bieber was never in the building.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.