Featured Image Credit: Pierre Suu/WireImage
Topics: Celebrity, US News, Entertainment
Rhianna Benson
An official statement has been released after a drag artist claimed responsibility for Jim Carrey's controversial appearance at the Cesar Film Awards ceremony in Paris last week.
The 64-year-old actor was joined by daughter Jane, grandson Jackson and girlfriend Mina on Thursday (26 February), where he made his first public appearance since November.
Sporting a considerably longer hairstyle than his fans had previously been accustomed to, Carrey was honoured with a Cesar d'honneur accolade in recognition of his long and illustrious acting career.
After snaps from the star-studded soiree were subsequently shared on social media, a peculiar conspiracy theory gripped the internet, alleging that The Mask actor had been 'swapped out' for someone else.
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"Is that actually him?" one X (formerly Twitter user) questioned. Another wrote back: "I don’t know what it is, but he looks different."
Some internet users even compared Carrey's latest red carpet snaps to photographs taken in the early 00s, claiming his eye colour had changed from a deep brown to a light green.
It didn't take long for the identity speculation to reach the ears of drag artist and prosthetics guru, Alexis Stone.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday (1 Mar), the British MUA - who repeatedly goes viral for using clay, paint and prosthetics to impersonate some of the world's biggest stars - shared several photos of Carrey with their 1.3 million followers.
Stone also uploaded what appears to be an AI-generated image of an entire head mask and a set of false teeth, claiming he's the artist behind Carrey's questionable new aesthetic.
"Alexis Stone as Jim Carrey in Paris," they teased in the caption, raking in thousands of mind-blown comments.
Seemingly responding to Stone's claims, however - which, it's important to note, appear to have been made in jest - a spokesperson for the Cesar Film Awards confirmed today it was the real Liar, Liar actor in attendance last week.
"Jim Carrey’s visit has been planned since this summer," organisers told Variety. "From the outset, he was extremely touched by the Academy’s invitation. Eight months of ongoing, constructive discussions.
"He worked on his speech in French for months, asking me about the exact pronunciation of certain words. He came with his partner, his daughter, his grandson and 12 close friends and family members."
The statement continued of Carrey: "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."
On receiving his award last week, the Hollywood veteran delivered an acceptance speech entirely in French with a thick American accent.
"As an actor, each character you play is like clay in the sculptor’s hands, which you shape to your heart’s desire," he began. "How fortunate I have been to share this art with so many people who have truly opened their hearts to me."
Going on to claim, 'about 300 years ago, [my] great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather, Marc-François Carré, yes, Carré, was born in France, in Saint Malo' before emigrating to Canada, Carrey noted: "Tonight, with this magnificent honour, this square (carré in French) has come full circle."
"Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever," he continued. "Thank you to my sublime companion, Mina. I love you, Mina.
"And finally, thank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father. Percy Joseph Carrey, who taught me the value of love, generosity, and laughter."
Concluding his speech, Carrey joked: "So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right?
"Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired."