Was Jim Carrey's awards appearance fake? Here's what his rep says

What did AI detection reveal about Stone's prosthetic image?

Which other celebrities face clone conspiracy theories?

What other impersonations does Alexis Stone perform?

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The internet can be a peculiar place.

Jim Carrey – the A-list comedic actor known for his wild and eccentric facial expressions in hit blockbuster films like "The Mask," "The Grinch" and "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" – is now the subject of a wild conspiracy theory suggesting he has a clone.

Drag artist Alexis Stone added fuel to the conspiracy when he claimed in a now-viral Instagram post on Sunday, March 1, that he impersonated the actor at the 2026 César Awards in Paris on Feb. 26. The post included Getty Image photos of Carrey, and an unverified photo of a prosthetic face, fake teeth, wig and makup on a desk in view of the Eiffel Tower.

However, the prosthetic image posted by Stone was flagged as digitally altered by an AI image detector used by USA TODAY, which noted 3% authenticity. USA TODAY has reached out to Stone for comment.

And in a statement to USA TODAY Monday, March 2, Carrey's rep confirmed it was him who attended the award ceremony, where he received the honorary Cesar.

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Variety also confirmed with the César Awards that Carrey accepted the honor, with the general delegate of France's highest national film honors, Gregory Caulier, telling the outlet that Carrey's attendance "has been planned since this summer."

Carrey delivered an emotional speech, in French, tracing his ancestry to France and paying tribute to his late father, Percy Joseph Carrey. The speech earned a standing ovation from onlookers.

"He worked on his speech in French for months, asking me about the exact pronunciation of certain words," Caulier added. "He came with his partner, his daughter, his grandson and 12 close friends and family members. His longtime publicist accompanied him. His old friend Michel Gondry, who has made a film and two series with him, was there, and they were delighted to see each other again."

Variations of the clone conspiracy theory have claimed many stars as victims over the years, including Avril Lavigne and rapper Gucci Mane. The theories are unfounded and have been repeatedly debunked.

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Who is Alexis Stone?

Stone is a makeup and drag artist known for his use of prosthetics and his celebrity impersonations. Born Elliot Joseph Rentz, he often shows up to Fashion Week events as impersonations of Madonna, Lana Del Rey, Dolly Parton, Jack Nicholson and Adele, as well as characters such as Morticia Addams, Cruella de Vil and Mrs. Doubtfire. He has also collaborated with brands such as Balenciaga, Diesel and Hugo Boss.

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He calls his impersonations "immersive performance" and "subversive storytelling."