An astonishing Tom Cruise lookalike has told how he shot to fame faster than an F-14 jet after he was filmed at a sports event by an amazed fan.
Party planner Cristian Zia says he was approached in February by an influencer who was open-mouthed at his similarity to the real thing.
He told local media in Venezuela: “He didn’t wait, he didn’t say anything to me, he took out the phone and started recording.”
The influencer – named as Genngyl Varela Garcia – told him: “I’m sorry, I have to say this, but have you been told that you look like Tom Cruise?”
Christian – a 49-year-old ex Mr Venezuela contestant from the city of Maracay, Aragua State – has since shot to fame on Instagram.
But the lookalike Tom says he is reluctant to cash in on his newfound celebrity.
Christian said: “I’m not ready for fame.”
He added: “We are going to be positive but I am not going to have false expectations.
“We are going to take it little by little, see how the networks move.”
Christian explained: “About 27 years ago, I participated in the Mister Venezuela contest.
“Since then, people have approached me commenting on my uncanny resemblance.
“I was only 22 years old at the time and didn’t think I looked like Tom Cruise.”
Christian was a TV actor for a while, and a runway model before turning to planning social events.
He said: “After the contest, I was in the art world for approximately a year doing acting courses on a recognised channel, in addition to dabbling as a catwalk model for important brands and TV commercials.
“I left my artistic career behind and worked for large transnational companies like Red Bull, Kellogg’s and Coca-Cola in the marketing and sales department for many years and then formed my own social events company.”
But he says he would probably still be working in obscurity if it was not for the rise of social media.
Christian said: “Thanks to the rise of social networks, I returned to fame thanks to an unexpected video.
“I was super surprised when it went viral. Now I do interviews on TV, radio and podcasts.
“Twenty-seven years ago I was not ready for fame. Now, at the age of 49, I am preparing myself because nothing is impossible for me.
“It would be a great challenge.
“So far, I have not encountered any problems. But I imagine that in the not-too-distant future, I will have to deal with the lack of privacy.”
When asked about his future plans, Christian said: “All this has happened very fast and I have no concrete plans.
“I am open to all proposals that are offered to me.
“I am living and enjoying the moment of this unexpected and spontaneous fame, obviously focused on preparing myself both physically and mentally because I know something good will come.”
