FAKE MOSS:
Denise Ohnona, 43, tells Closer how working as the supermodel’s lookalike has changed her life…
As one of the most famous fashion icons in the world, Kate Moss is recognisable to everyone. But you could easily be forgiven for mistaking her for someone else –mum of two, Denise Ohnona.
After being told for years that she looked like Kate, Denise from Ormskirk, West Lancashire, finally embraced the striking resemblance at the age of 37 and now works as the world’s number one Kate Moss lookalike.
Denise, 43, explains, “There really is only one Kate – she’s the most iconic fashion model and I’m not even a model. I might be her lookalike, but that’s where the similarity ends.”
EMBARRASSED
Denise was 16 when she first started being told that she looked like Kate.
She explains, “At first, I didn’t even know who Kate was. I’d be walking down the street and people would shout things like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Kate Moss!’ Iwas so embarrassed. Back then, Ihad very little confidence. When I first saw a picture of Kate in a magazine, I was blown away by how gorgeous she was. But I honestly didn’t see the resemblance.”
Then, when Denise was 18, she was approached by a modelling agency. She explains, “At 5ft 4, I wasn’t tall enough to do catwalk modelling, but they said I’d be great for catalogue work.”
CONFIDENCE
But just two days later, she was involved in a horrible road traffic accident that left her with hypertrophic scars on her face. She says, “The first time I saw a mirror in the hospital, I screamed.”
With her confidence in tatters, Denise let go of her modelling dreams and despite numerous corrective surgeries on her scars over the years, meaning they’re barely visible now, Denise remained extremely self-conscious and hated having her photo taken.
After living in California for four years and having her first daughter, Elise, now 13, Denise returned to the UK in 2012 following a separation from her first husband. And it was around this time that she started to gain more confidence. She explains, “As a single mum, I just felt more motivated and energised. I started going to the gym and wearing clothes that made me feel good.”
Denise and the real Kate Moss
The following year, Denise met her now husband, Rob, aDJ and music producer, and went on to have her second daughter, Anais, now eight. Denise explains, “I was still getting told all the time that I looked like Kate. Then I started getting phone calls from Lookalikes Talent Agency –run by David Beckham double, Andy Harmer. I later found out that a relative had sent him my photo and contact details.
“Occasionally, he would call me about job opportunities and althou
