As a three-time Oscar winner, Meryl Streep isn’t afraid of transforming herself for a part, and her latest makeover involves an ill-fitting hair piece, a red tie, a padded suit and a vat of fake tan…
Dressed up as a remarkably convincing Donald Trump, the much-loved actress took to the stage in Central Park to perform ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ from the musical Kiss Me, Kate.
Performing as part of New York’s annual Shakespeare in the Park Public Theatre Gala, Streep was joined by her Mamma Mia co-star Christine Baranski, dressed as Hillary Clinton.
The pair adapted the lyrics of the Broadway show tune – which talks about the best way to win over women – to allude to the Republican presidential hopeful’s need to win over female voters.
According to the New York Times, the actress ‘did a more than credible version of the presumptive Republican nominee, down to the pursed lips and low-hanging belly. She got the braggadocio-inflected voices, too, even while singing.’
The performance was a surprise for the event’s organisers, with artistic director Oskar Eustis revealing that it was ‘utterly her idea, beginning to end.’ Speaking to the New York Times, he added ‘There were skeptics, there were doubters, but one of those skeptics was not Meryl Streep. She was absolutely sure she could do it. None of us had seen her in costume or make-up till she walked out tonight.’
The actress's Trump impersonation coincided with the announcement that Hillary Clinton has been nominated as the first female candidate for the US presidency.
Don’t expect to see Streep donning the mahogany tan and fat suit again, though. In a statement issued through a representative, the actress explained, ‘I appreciate the interest, but this was a one-off, a once in a (last in a) lifetime appearance of this character.’
Trump is yet to comment on Streep’s not-exactly-flattering portrayal, but he has previously expressed his admiration for the actress, telling the Hollywood Reporter ‘Meryl Streep is excellent. She’s a fine person, too.’
Meryl for President, anyone?
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