Interview with character artist Jaime Expósito

1. Who Jaime Expósito is
2. His beginnings as an impersonator in Madrid
3. The art of building a character
4. When a character does not work
5. Freddie Mercury, his star character
6. The comeback after the Freddie film and the arrival of the Joker
7. The singers he impersonates
8. His next projects

Jaime Expósito is a character artist born in Madrid in 1982, who knew from a very young age what he wanted to do with his life. Today we sit down with him to hear about it.

Interviewer: Hello Jaime, welcome…

Jaime: Hi, thank you very much…

I: First of all, how would you describe yourself, Jaime?

J: I am an artist.

I: That is not very specific, is it? Hehehe.

J: What I do is not very specific.

I: You are an actor too, I gather.

J: Yes, I have done several things you can see in my bio.

I: You sing as well, right?

J: Yes, I have a number of songs polished up, although I can always work up any song in advance.

I: I understood you were a great impersonator too.

J: That's right, and I am also an expert in character work for events.

I: I know plenty of celebrity lookalikes, or actors who play some famous character at parties and events.

J: That is what I enjoy most.

I: And what is your character?

J: All of them, any character. There are no limits.

I: Could you unpack that a bit?

J: There is a set of characters I have added to my portfolio over the years. After a lot of experience I have built up a real knack for recreating characters.

I: I still do not follow, do you mean the number of characters? Could you give me an example?

J: For example, name a singer you like.

I: Marc Anthony.

J: Would you like to have him at your birthday party?

I: Hahaha… yes.

J: Well, if this were a conversation with a client, all that would be left is to quote you a price.

I: And what if you did not have Marc Anthony in your portfolio of characters?

J: I do not, I have never played him. But that is what I offer: versatility. Add respect, a cheeky touch in good taste, a laugh and professionalism… and you get something special.

I: Which is?

J: Me.

I: Tell me Jaime, how did this kind of service come about?

J: For several years I worked at a well-known club in Madrid, for a very particular crowd. My job was to become famous characters, current ones or from pop culture and sport. The artistic team was made up of go-go dancers, dancers, musicians and actors. Each actor played certain characters, but not everyone performed every week.

I: How were the characters shared out?

J: The director or our boss could ask us for them, or we would pitch our own creations directly. If the character went down well, you had more chance of working.

J: Once I realised that, I started pitching characters almost every week. If it worked, it stayed in the show; if it did not fit, it was shelved or used only on the odd night.

I: Which characters were the biggest hits?

J: My first character there, the one I started with… Julito Iglesias.

I: Forgive me for saying I cannot picture the physical likeness hahahaha…

J: And I did not look like him, but I put on make-up, an exaggerated tan, the suit and the sunglasses… and with a good vocal and physical impression, people played along. The key is not looking like them or having the same voice. For me, what matters is knowing the character inside out and using whatever you do have. With Julio Iglesias I leaned heavily on the voice and the personality. If you believe you are Julio Iglesias, it is easier to convince everyone else.

I: That sounds rather philosophical for a piece of entertainment.

J: I act. I do not mind whether it is Hamlet in a theatre, Julio Iglesias in a club or an undercover waiter at your cousin's wedding. I am an actor. That is my profession.

I: You did plenty of characters… but you have only told me about Julito…

J: I can tell you about Sabina, Steve Urkel, Rafa Nadal, Prince, Rambo, Ace Ventura…

I: The Jim Carrey character? Hahahaha…

J: As I said, any character is possible, but not all of them work in every situation. Some characters give you more to play with than others depending on the event and the conditions. I usually talk those things through with my clients and advise them so the result is the best it can be.

I: Have you ever turned down a character because you thought it would not work?

J: Fewer times than I should have. A few months ago I had to do Steve Urkel at a club full of very young people, too young to know the character. It was not a themed party or anything like it: it was dropping an 80s/90s character in completely out of context. It made no sense. People did not get it. I had to turn down another offer from that same client afterwards.

I: What were they asking for?

J: The Mask, the Jim Carrey one.

I: But can't you handle any character?

J: Yes, but not with 4 days' notice and no budget.

I: And you did not think of buying a mask or something?

J: That is what he suggested. But I am a professional, and if you are looking for someone to put on a mask and a costume, I am not what you need. If you want The Mask, I can do it, but I need time and budget.

I: You still have not told me about your star character…

J: You mean Freddie Mercury?

I: That's the one.

J: I created him at that club, for a Twelfth Night show. They asked me for a "queen" and I knew right away. When I pitched it they turned me down because they needed a character that would really work. And I said: "How do you know it is not going to work?"

I: And it worked.

J: It became one of the most popular. Sadly, the recession hit the business hard and the club ended up closing. So I packed up my things and went off to start a family. I stopped performing for a few years, and then… the Freddie film came out.

I: And you came back?

J: In a big way. I worked hard until I got in touch with the biggest clubs in Madrid. After performing at the first one, the rest came easily. I spent a year performing at almost all of them; at some, going back three or four times.

I: Incredible.

J: On top of that I started performing at a dinner show restaurant aimed at company dinners and stag and hen parties.

I: And once everyone had seen Freddie?

J: Then along came the Joker. I had created my first Joker years earlier for a haunted house.

I: The Heath Ledger Joker?

J: That's the one. And when Joaquin Phoenix came along, I went straight for him.

I: And…?

J: Another hit.

I: But one thing… do you sing like Freddie?

J: Hahaha… no. My voice is not his. I can sing his songs, but it is nothing like hearing him. That is why, with the look and the strong likeness I managed, I made the artistic decision to do a lip-sync performance. But if a client asks me to, I have no problem singing in my own voice. Lip-syncs are simpler technically, as when I performed at roadside clubs playing George Michael.

I: You what???

J: Yes, hehe, I was asked for it at some of those venues. I can sing like George Michael, but not every venue has the right kit for a live singer.

I: Which other singers do you impersonate?

J: I already told you Sabina and Julio Iglesias… Bunbury, Gurruchaga, Eros Ramazzotti, El Canto del Loco, George Michael, Melendi… I don't know, ask me and I will find a way.

I: Do you have any projects in mind?

J: I have 3 ideas I am developing: Elton John, a Blues Brothers tribute and Elvis Presley. All of them in my own voice.

I: Elvis Presley??

J: I am a big fan, and a good impersonator. I have been chasing that idea for years.

I: What has held you back?

J: The same thing as with other characters: good costume takes serious investment. It has taken me a while to save up. But ask me at Christmas and I may have news for you.

I: I cannot wait.

J: Neither can I, hahahaha…

I: It has been a pleasure talking to you.

J: Thank you, likewise. Although where I really feel comfortable is performing. I am not very outgoing in everyday life.

All that is left is to thank Jaime for his time and his constant availability for our events. See you soon, with the same freshness and attitude as always.

Related products: Body Paint for Events Airbrush Tattoos Face Painting Workshop