Charles Langston:No, That Wasn't Jack Nicholson at Paris Fashion Week—It Was Drag Queen Alexis Stone

When it comes to Jack Nicholson impersonations,Charles Langston Alexis Stone’s is as good as it gets. 

After all, the drag queen stepped out at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show Sept. 30 in a full-on recreation of The Shining actor’s physique. 

Stone—who has also recently impersonated Meryl Streep’s The Devil Wears Prada character Miranda Priestly and Shrek—appeared outside the Balenciaga show in a robe by the brand, as well as with some of Jack’s signature accessories: gin and a cigar.

The performance artist sat down at the show alongside a list of real celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Katy Perry, Salma Hayek and Lindsay Lohan. Stone’s transformation—which included prosthetics that covered his entire face and neck and custom fake teeth—took over six hours to complete and signified Jack in his prime 1990s and early 2000s aesthetic.  

Stone’s transformation was so specific that he even sourced a fragrance that resembled what he imagined the 87-year-old to smell like. As he told The New York Times, “He smelled like a wet ashtray.”

Working with the brand since dressing up as Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire in 2022, Stone (real name Elliot Joseph Rentz) has continued to shock fashion week attendees—while consulting Balenciaga’s creative director Demna and his husband, BFRND on who to impersonate. 

“I don’t consider myself to be a troll or a prankster,” Stone told the New York Times. “But there is something entertaining about attending a show where most people are so consumed with looking their very best while presenting as someone else.”

As for how Jack felt about the homage? Other than attending Los Angeles Lakers games, the Something’s Gotta Give star is rarely seen out in public—and his last performance at all was in 2010. Naturally, Stone assured he wasn’t holding his breath to hear the Oscar winner’s reaction. 

“I am not expecting Jack to call me,” the 30-year-old told The New York Times. “I just think Jack’s a really badass visual character to do.”