A veteran Tina Turner impersonator who fooled guests at a YMCA fundraiser Saturday night applauded the organizers' decision to keep her identity a mystery and yesterday questioned what all the fuss was about.
"Why let the air out of the balloon when they're there to have a good time?" said entertainer Hollie Vest, reached on her cell phone. "This is the way it's done. It's the awe factor. It's the fun factor."
Vest said she was surprised and saddened to learn that anyone was upset with the YMCA of the North Shore, an organization that does so much to help children. Usually, she said, "common sense" kicks in before long and people realize that she's not the real thing.
Tina Turner, after all, is semi-retired and can fill stadiums, she said.
"Why would Tina Turner come to an event with 600 people? Doesn't she live in France? How could they afford this?" Vest said of the questions that typically run through people's minds. "It's kind of understood in those events that would not be the real Tina."
In 22 years working as an impersonator, Vest said, she had never heard of a single instance where people were upset because her real identity was not revealed.
"Why let the air out of the balloon when they're there to have a good time?" said entertainer Hollie Vest, reached on her cell phone. "This is the way it's done. It's the awe factor. It's the fun factor."
Vest said she was surprised and saddened to learn that anyone was upset with the YMCA of the North Shore, an organization that does so much to help children. Usually, she said, "common sense" kicks in before long and people realize that she's not the real thing.
Tina Turner, after all, is semi-retired and can fill stadiums, she said.
"Why would Tina Turner come to an event with 600 people? Doesn't she live in France? How could they afford this?" Vest said of the questions that typically run through people's minds. "It's kind of understood in those events that would not be the real Tina."
In 22 years working as an impersonator, Vest said, she had never heard of a single instance where people were upset because her real identity was not revealed.
Organizers of the YMCA benefit held at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort in Danvers had hired Vest to entertain the 600 guests, seeking to add some flavor to the annual event. At first, some in the room were skeptical that she was authentic, but as the "special guest" sang and danced, more people became convinced they were witnessing the legend up close and personal.
Some guests bid anywhere from $100 to $4,000 to give 12 men the chance to join her on stage for a rousing rendition of "Proud Mary." At least one board member left that night convinced he had danced with Tina Turner and was upset to learn otherwise two days later.
But Vest, whose business is based in Las Vegas, said she works fundraisers all the time all over the country, and it's standard practice to keep people guessing. She said the YMCA never said she was Tina Turner and she never said she was Tina Turner, making a point to only refer to herself as "Tina."
"They bid $800 to shake it with Tina," she said. "Her last name was never used."
"What saddens me," she continued, "is that certain people are asking for their donations back. I think that's very sad. You don't give to get. You find an excuse to give. Nobody should blame the Y."
That night she even donated a three-night stay at her bed-and-breakfast in New Orleans to benefit the YMCA.
Vest said she figures she should be happy to hear that her impersonation was so dead-on that people told friends the next day they saw Tina Turner perform in Danvers. She's won numerous awards for her act and has been hired by big-name corporations to entertain at company parties and conventions.
"I'm complimented that I did my job well," she said. "I thought they pulled off a fabulous event."
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