Fake Bieber banned for life after duping XS Nightclub in elaborate weekend prank
A Justin Bieber impersonator successfully infiltrated XS Nightclub at Wynn Encore Saturday night, performing on stage for hundreds of screaming fans before security discovered the elaborate hoax that has left Las Vegas nightlife officials red-faced and reportedly cost at least one staffer their job.
The perfect storm of deception
Dylan Desclos, a 29-year-old French national known for his uncanny resemblance to the pop star, orchestrated what industry insiders are calling one of the most audacious nightclub pranks in recent memory. The scheme began Friday when Desclos was spotted shopping at Balenciaga and posing for selfies around the Wynn property, creating buzz that Bieber was in town.
The deception reached its peak Saturday night when Desclos and his fake entourage convinced XS staff and headlining DJ Gryffin that Justin Bieber wanted to make a surprise appearance. The ruse reportedly involved daylong efforts by Desclos’ team, who claimed to be “new to Bieber’s management” to explain any confusion about protocols.
“We’ve got Justin Bieber in the house!” Gryffin announced to the packed nightclub, before playing Bieber’s 2015 hit “Sorry” as Desclos took the stage in a black hoodie, complete with matching tattoos and Bieber’s current buzz cut hairstyle.
Four minutes that fooled Vegas
For 4 minutes and 27 seconds, Desclos lip-synced to “Sorry” while gold streamers fired over the crowd and hundreds of phones captured what attendees believed was a once-in-a-lifetime performance. The impersonator’s commitment to the role was evident – he sports many of the same tattoos as Bieber and had perfectly mimicked the star’s current appearance.
“I literally thought, he put on a lot of weight since the album dropped,” Gryffin later admitted in a hotel suite video, referencing Bieber’s recent “Swag” release. The DJ only discovered the truth after being informed by staff that the performer was an imposter.
Meanwhile, the real Justin Bieber was posting skateboarding videos on social media, nowhere near Las Vegas.
Swift consequences and industry fallout
The Wynn’s response was immediate and severe. “After an elaborate and multi-step ruse by him and his advance team, a Justin Bieber impersonator was granted access to the XS stage,” spokesman Michael Weaver stated. “As soon as the error was recognized, he was removed from the resort and denied future entry.”
The lifetime ban extends to all Wynn properties, effectively barring Desclos from two of the Strip’s premier resorts. Rumors circulate that at least one XS staffer has been terminated, with more firings potentially forthcoming, though Wynn has made no official statement on personnel matters.
A history of deception
Desclos, who hails from Normandy, France, has built a career around his resemblance to Bieber, appearing at various events over the past eight years. In a 2023 interview with UK media, he revealed fans have mobbed his hotel rooms late at night, believing he’s the troubled recording star.
“A lot of people told me that I look like Justin Bieber in the past, however, I do make sure to dress like him,” Desclos said at the time. “I think our similarities look-wise are some points of our faces, and definitely our attitudes.”
On social media, Desclos attempted to deflect responsibility, claiming his team orchestrated the deception while he merely “passed” as Bieber, always identifying himself as a lookalike when asked directly.
Questions for Vegas nightlife security
The incident has sparked serious discussions about security protocols at high-end Las Vegas venues. XS regularly hosts A-list performers and charges premium prices for its exclusive atmosphere – making this breach particularly embarrassing.
Industry observers note that in Vegas’s alcohol-fueled nightclub environment, with dim lighting and loud music, distinguishing between a celebrity and a convincing impersonator can be challenging. However, the fact that no one on staff verified Bieber’s appearance through official channels raises concerns about celebrity booking procedures.
For Desclos, the stunt represents the pinnacle of celebrity impersonation – successfully fooling one of Vegas’s most exclusive venues. But with potential legal ramifications and a lifetime ban from Wynn properties, his moment of fame may prove costly.
As one social media user noted: “He lived out every celebrity impersonator’s dream… Now he’s probably going to need an army of lawyers.”
Image Sources: https://consequence.net/2025/08/justin-bieber-impersonator-vegas-stage/
Category: Nightlife
Subcategory: Entertainment
Date: 08/19/2025
