As Kris Jenner hits the Time 100 List, the celebrity‘s lookalike reveals what it’s really like to be a dead ringer for one of the most influential people in the world – including being having to hide from fans and getting ‘recognised’ at Starbucks.
Linda Zirkus, a celebrity make-up artist from the US, has shot to viral fame for her twin-like resemblance to the famous business mogul – with even a real Kardashian saying the pair look alike.
Initially, she couldn’t see the similarities but after Keeping Up with The Kardashians aired, Linda found herself unable to leave the house without being asked for a picture.
Since then, she’s been confused for the mum-of-six while in taxis, on airplanes or out at dinner – with the most recent incident taking place during a family member’s graduation.
According to Linda, the Kardashians’ own security team reportedly can’t tell the difference between the pair, with the make-up artist claiming she was ambushed to safety during Kim Kardashian’s appearance at BeautyCon, Los Angeles, US.
“I hid in a closet for two hours, as hundreds of fans were behind me wanting a photo,” Linda told needtoknow.online.
“I had two security guards come up to me, asking if they could help me to safety.
“I was [only] walking around looking at all the products – I was unaware that Kim was on stage.
“I was confused, nervous and scared because I knew I wasn’t her [Kris], but so many people thought I was.
“I don’t have security, so when it happens, I’m a regular person living my own life – I’m at a loss of what to do.
“The first time I was mistaken for her, I was working with Dog the Bounty Hunter [TV personality Duane Lee Chapman].
“We were at an event and I had to hide [again] in a closet because the swell of people surrounding me was out of control.
“On another project in Los Angeles, the Kardashians were there and Khloe kept making references that I resembled Kris, too.
“Another time, I was at Dancing with the Stars while Rob Kardashian was a contestant.
“I was waiting for my talent near where Kris was standing and she needed help to be seated across the dance floor.
“I put my arm out so we could walk together and I thought nothing of it but when we were done, I got mobbed outside with so many people asking who I was.”
Recently, Linda was mistaken during a TV interview while visiting home in Newfoundland, Canada, where news outlets reported that Kris Jenner was travelling through the province.
She said: “There was even a meme about it and I had to do several local interviews [to confirm it wasn’t Kris].
“Fans were hiding behind cars and taking photos – it was the most out of control situation that has happened to date.
“I always say [to fans]: ‘you know I’m not her’ in the hopes they will come to their senses, but that doesn’t happen and they continue to ask for autographs or phone calls.
“They go completely star-struck, which drives my family crazy.
“I have lost count [with the amount of times I’ve been mistaken] as it’s daily.
“In elevators, taxi rides, at dinner, or aeroplanes – it doesn’t matter where I am.
“I’ve been mistaken around 30 times while getting gas or at the post office and at Starbucks, they write ‘Kris’ on my cup.
“I also had to sit far away during a family member’s graduation, so that I didn’t cause a stir.”
Despite the attention being overwhelming at times, Linda says there’s many perks that come with being Kris Jenner’s doppelgänger.
She claims to have received free tickets to concerts, dinners, products and even complimentary hotel stays.
While her day-to-day life hasn’t been negatively affected, she says that her career and friendships have suffered consequences.
Linda said: “In my job, this has definitely counted against me, as the celebrities that I work with tend to fixate on this which has been challenging.
“There have been a few times [where I get fed up] and it’s been with close friends who use this for their own gain.
“It’s bothered me, but I realise now that they aren’t my friends and I’ve now got a smaller circle.
“[However] in my personal daily life, it’s been the ride of a lifetime – it’s fun, easy, crazy and unimaginable at times.”
Due to her new-found fame, Linda recently decided to upload various clips of her “pretending” to be Kris Jenner on TikTok, with one clip racking up 17 million views and 2.2 million likes.
In the TikTok, she begins walking at pace with a coffee cup in hand and square sunglasses covering her eyes, in true Kris Jenner style.
As she rushes to catch her flight, she reveals that the airline held the plane especially for her as they thought she was the real deal.
Users took to the comments to share their shocked reactions.
“OMG THIS HAD ME SHOOK I WAS LIKE WHO,” one viewer commented.
Another person added: “I love you fake mommy kris.”
“How do you look exactly like her,” someone else wrote.
One person said: “I thought you were Kris Jenner,” followed by a shocked face emoji.
“You’re telling me this isn’t Kris?” another viewer added.
Someone else commented: “My brain knows you’re not Kris, but my heart is telling me you’re Kris.”
Linda added: “I have finally embraced it, all these years later and I am here for the ride.
“I have met Kris several times and I have a selfie with her from a book signing, as she thought it would be funny for us to have a face-to-face picture.
“One of my favourite times was in Las Vegas during a beauty show where Paris Hilton was debuting her new product.
“Her mum, Kathy Hilton, stood on the chair and yelled: ‘Kris, Kris’ as she motioned for me to come over.
“I said I wasn’t Kris and [she] was blown away, but we acted as if we knew each other and the crowd lost their minds.
“Kourtney and Scott have viewed my Instagram stories and have connected with me on TikTok, so I would say [they] know who I am.
“I am flattered that we are ‘twins’ as she’s an amazing, beautiful woman.”
