A nightclub in Las Vegas became the setting for a surreal and costly prank after a Justin Bieber impersonator allegedly convinced staff, partygoers, and even DJ Gryffin himself that he was the real pop star.
The impersonator not only managed to take the stage at XS Nightclub on Saturday, August 16, but also reportedly racked up a bar tab that reached an astonishing $10,000 before the truth came to light, TMZ reported.
The incident unfolded during a night when the real Bieber’s name was already dominating headlines thanks to his recent surprise release of Swag in July. His track “Daisies” is currently sitting comfortably at number five on the UK Singles Chart, sparking renewed fan interest.
But while the genuine singer was nowhere near Las Vegas, an imposter known online as Dylan Desclos (a Frenchman who has built a following for mimicking Bieber’s look and mannerisms) seized the opportunity to cause chaos.
Clips shared across TikTok and X quickly went viral, showing the crowd erupting with excitement as the impersonator was brought on stage to “perform.” According to Gryffin, who was headlining the set that night, the man arrived with what appeared to be a full entourage, making the act seem even more convincing. In a video posted afterward, the DJ admitted he had been “duped,” explaining that in the dark atmosphere of the club, with music blasting, it was difficult to scrutinize whether the supposed Bieber was authentic.
“So his ‘team’ said he wanted to perform ‘Sorry,’” Gryffin wrote, referencing Bieber’s 2015 hit. “Little did I know I was about to be sorry.” The DJ confessed that, at first, he went along with the performance, assuming it was a surprise appearance arranged at the last minute. But soon after, his own staff informed him that the man on stage was not Bieber at all.
Desclos has a history of pulling off such impersonations. At 29 years old, he has built an online persona by staging public appearances and creating viral moments that toy with fans’ expectations. Videos of him traveling on public transport while being mobbed by people believing him to be Bieber have circulated widely, with even Hailey Bieber once commenting on social media that she was “scared” after seeing one of the clips. In the past, Desclos even promoted his own “world tour” as Bieber, underscoring how far he is willing to take the act.
While some fans at XS Nightclub expressed frustration at being tricked, others have responded with humor, joking online that “Bustin Jeiber” (as the imposter has now been dubbed) “looked like a whole vibe.” Others pointed out the unsettling ease with which he and his supposed “team” convinced both a major DJ and hundreds of clubgoers that they were in the presence of a global superstar.
Though no word has been given yet on who paid the towering bar bill, the bizarre stunt has sparked a wave of conversation online. For many, it serves as a reminder of how quickly perception can blur under flashing lights, loud music, and the power of celebrity illusion.