Ever since Melania Trump's latest public appearance at Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday (26 April), a seriously bizarre conspiracy theory about her alleged 'body double' has reignited.
Yep, as weird as it may sound, some people on social media are absolutely convinced that a 'fake Melania' had rocked up to Vatican City's St Peter’s Square whilst hundreds of thousands of mourners paid their respects to the late pontiff, who died aged 88 on Easter Monday (21 April).
The conspiracy theory has gained so much traction that even the First Lady's husband, Donald Trump, has weighed in on the speculation.
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So, we saw it best to actually speak to a security expert to get the 411 on the actual likelihood of someone like Melania using a 'body double' as well as the tell-tale signs that a public figure actually is one.
How common is the use of body doubles or decoys for high-profile individuals in politics?
Security specialist, Will Geddes, exclusively told Tyla that the use of body-doubles for Heads of State or A-list celebrities is 'not unusual'.
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"The use for Heads of State can be when there is a heightened risk of assassination attack and personal attack, especially when needing to make public appearances." he added.
What legitimate reasons would there be for using a body double for someone like the First Lady?
Will explained that a body double would most likely only be used 'in the instances of press intrusion or if Melania was wishing to have privacy around a particular separate journey/visit'.
They work to 'enhance security' by keeping the main principal 'off-target', with Will noting that body doubles are 'very useful as a diversionary tactic or measure'.
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How would a body double be integrated into a public appearance?
According to the expert, a body double would only be used in situations they could be 'viewed fleetingly' - like walking to a car, helicopter, plane - where the chances of close scrutiny is hard.
Sharing an anecdote from his career, Will continued: "Where I have also used this is to 'test' within a counter surveillance capacity; to see if the client is under covert surveillance.
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"By running what we call 'serials' (pre-planned routes), this can enable my team to detect who might be following and how sophisticated/advanced they might be - assessing the level of scrutiny/risk they might be under."
He went on to explain that he once had a 'very prominent client' who was under huge amounts of public scrutiny - something Will says is 'pretty usual' for him.
The client was originally under surveillance and being 'tailed' by journalists and paparazzi, with Will recalling: "My team did such a good job in evading them, they had to hire professional surveillance officers.
"They were also unsuccessful but did assist us in assessing how determined the persons hiring them evidently were. Using professionals is not cheap."
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Are there any standard tell-tale signs that could suggest a public figure is being impersonated?
Will mapped out three key tell-tale signs that could mean a public figure is being impersonated by a 'body double'.
He shared: "Height is always key as you can often find impersonators who look very convincing in look, hair, face shape and even build but simply don’t 'measure-up' height wise."
Another tell-tale sign, according to the expert, can be the individual's 'gait' - how they walk and stand.
"It’s a very subtle thing but how someone walks and what their body does when they do can tell a lot," he noted. "We all have particular way."
And, lastly, the third tell-tale sign is 'gesticulation' - AKA what we do with our hands.
"Someone people are very expressive, others less so. Especially when talking," Will adds. "Think about when you spot someone you know from a distance - many of these things contribute."
Is it even feasible to use a body double in highly scrutinised public settings like official events or press briefings?
"Rarely," Will asserts. "With the use of modern prosthetics and professional make-up artists this can be done - but rarely at really big events or press briefings where there is a greater risk of closer scrutiny.
"If the body double is compromised, the tactic is compromised and this could prove embarrassing for the principal, especially if this was at a major event. Which is why it is more often only used for short moments (moving between locations, etc.) than on a stage or arena where a sustained scrutiny can be made."
Talking specifically about the Melania 'body double' conspiracy, Will told Tyla: "I don’t believe they were body-doubles. The question of walking with flat shoes to the helicopter - ask any woman about walking across grass. Doing it in high heels is precarious."
Rounding off, he claimed: "As to the Pope’s funeral and Trumps inauguration; again the questions marks about the changes to her face are likely more due to non-invasive aesthetic treatments (botox, fillers, etc.).
"Many people in the public eye will have a ’tweak’ prior to attending large events where they will evidently be on display."
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, US News, Pope Francis, Politics, Explained, Tyla Exclusive
Rhiannon Ingle