The transformation to Kate Blanchett was particularly impressive
(Picture: TikTok)The power of makeup is impressive, but one talented makeup artist on TikTok took it to the next level. TikToker, @gillianisme, became an overnight viral sensation after she took to the app to showcase her jaw-dropping talent.
From global superstar Michael Jackson, Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn to acting legend Jackie Chan, @gillianisme combines cosmetics, prosthetics and incredible skill to create the perfect recipe for mind-blowing transformation videos.
In a video that racked up a whopping 3.7 million views, the makeup artist is unrecognisable as she is in character as the award-winning actress Cate Blanchett – who rose to fame after her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 film Elizabeth, directed by Shekhar Kapur.
In another video, the TikToker shared a snippet of her in character as actor-choreographer-director, Jackie Chan.
While the TikTok user has reaped compliments and admiration from across the globe – with one deeming her creations ‘artistic brilliance’ – the makeup artist has equally received a lot of backlash against some of her transformations.
One video, in particular, raised a lot of eyebrows. The makeup artist morphed herself into the late American basketball player, Kobe Bryant which did not go down well among followers. Comments have since been turned off on the video, which has received over two million views, but the comments continue to spill out under her other recent posts.
Some called it out as ‘blackface’ – ‘a form of theatrical makeup used predominantly by non-black performers to portray a caricature of a black person’ which was prominent during the 1800s.
While another bluntly commented, “Do not disrespect Kobe like that again.”
“Why would you do that to Kobe, let him rest”, one TikTok user added.
You can watch the transformation videos here.
