celebrity look a like

THE BILLY JOEL FACTOR

Looking like someone else, especially someone famous can lead to increased familiarity with others. People actually substitute their feelings for and perceptions of the famous person for you. In this subconscious process of identification, there is a positive transference or “innocence by association.” If this occurs, go with the flow and make them feel comfortable with their position.
I have been told on told on numerous occasions (literally hundreds of times), dating back 30 years, that I bear a striking resemblance to the singer and “Piano Man” Billy Joel. We are roughly the same age, have the same body type and height, coloring, goatee, amount of hair, and eye shape. My sense is that most people regard Billy Joel positively, for his incredible body of work and charisma. I realize I am NOT him, but I look like him, and that has a positive connection with most people. So…this likeness helps me. People come up and talk to me, have asked for my autograph or if I play the piano (I do). When people bring up the resemblance, I have an instant “talking point,” a way in to further conversation.

This affects my networking in the following way: I am frequently perceived as a kind of substitute for a celebrity whom others admire. Recently three people who were sitting behind me at a networking event started a conversation asking if I was him. I said no, but it led to a positive conversation and some potential moving business. So when we look strongly like someone, it can mean acceptance (or rejection) by association because they are substituting their feelings about the celebrity to you. It’s worked in interesting and positive ways for me, so hopefully Billy Joel won’t shave his goatee. This is an excellent example of the difference between self-perception (what I see when I look in the mirror) and the perception of others (“Has anyone ever told you that you look like Billy Joel?”)
I am positive the “Billy Joel Connection” has helped me connect with many people over the years. For all of the people who verbalized that they noticed the resemblance, there must have been many more who had the perception but didn’t share it with me. I like Billy Joel, so the identity is all the more powerful – I feel enhanced by the association!
The significance of this factor is that people often make judgments based upon associations. When something we do or how we look reminds others of someone else, they might actually substitute the “other person” for us. In this Billy Joel example, my resemblance to him is so striking that many people might subconsciously be relating to him instead of me. Thankfully I resemble a person who is quite popular and revered by many.
The importance of this example is that people often transfer their feelings and perceptions of one person for another. You might resemble a favorite brother, an ex-wife or a deceased friend. The feelings for the substituted person might be positive or negative. In cases where the resemblance is striking, the effect is likely to be more pronounced. This example is based solely on a visual similarity between two people, which happens often in life. When we remind people of someone else, especially someone famous, it can have a significant effect on our interactions with others who have that perception of us.