Entertainment

The Instagram Account You Need To See

by Michelle Regalado

Most of us have Instagram accounts in order to browse food porn and post sunset snapshots, but New Zealand teen Liam Martin has found an even better use for the photo-sharing app. The creative 17-year-old has become an Internet sensation by perfectly imitating various celebrities and film characters under his Instagram handle, waverider_.

According to Mashable, Martin started the project about a year ago, creating elaborate costumes to recreate the looks featured in a certain singer’s music video or on an award show red carpet. So far, he has dressed up as everyone from Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande to Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Frozen’s Elsa. The teen apparently uses wigs and props from a “$2 shop” to create each look, and I gotta say, his replications are pretty on point. From hairstyles to lipstick color, Martin doesn’t seem to miss a single detail while undergoing these makeovers.

His most elaborate transformation so far — and probably, my own personal favorite — is his replication of Katy Perry’s Cleopotra-like look from her video for the single “Dark Horse.” The photo shoot for that particular look reportedly took three hours, but it seems Martin finally got the perfect shot. He even recreated the intricate pattern of Perry’s shirt!

Of course, his successful efforts have not gone unnoticed. Martin now boasts more than 1.5 million Instagram followers. "It is a really awesome feeling to have so many people support what I do," he told Mashable. "I have learned a lot. I have learned how to deal with criticism and a lot about myself."

In any case, Martin’s project may be just for fun right now, but it’s clear from his impressive pictures that the teen could have a serious potential career in costume design in the future. Check out a couple more of his photos below:

Images: waverider_/Instagram