New Side Hustle? Jesus Models in High Demand in Utah

Do you have long, shaggy hair, a goatee, and look downright heavenly in a white robe? We may have the perfect side hustle for you.

Men who can pass as the holy savior are in high demand in the state of Utah, where nearly three-quarters of the population identify as Christian, most of them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the Beehive State, Jesus lookalikes are making hundreds of dollars per hour for everything from posing with believers in graduation and wedding photos to making appearances at work and family events. 

Why are Jesus lookalikes in such high demand now?

The Holy Photobomber

Family portraits. Wedding photos. Graduation shots. Christmas cards. For many Utahns, every important photo and life event is a way to put their faith on full display - literally.

The days of a simple cross necklace humbly displayed may be waning. In recent years, demand has skyrocketed for Jesus lookalikes to pose in photos with families and couples to showcase their true commitment to their lord and savior, a means to make material the bond and kinship they feel with Jesus.

The trend is so popular in Utah that many photographers have a friend who can serve as their own on-demand Jesus when couples want their portrait taken with the holy savior.

“Most Christians have Christian artwork in their home,” says 28-year-old photographer MaKayla Avalos, who uses her friend’s brother to pose as Jesus in photos with clients. “This is a way to make it more personal, more catered to an individual.”

A Higher Calling

For many of the would-be Jesuses, their impersonations go beyond a way to make a quick buck. Many report feeling a strong sense of meaning and importance when posing as Christ, as if they were being held to a higher standard when donning the robe and staff. One Jesus impersonator, Jai Knighton, says that his photographer even encouraged him to channel the savior as much as possible.

“Be the most Christlike person you can be,” the photographer said to him, “or people will be able to tell through the photos that it’s not real.”

Others say that dressing and acting like Jesus makes them feel famous. One impersonator, Terry Holker, even said that he had to tell a woman he wasn’t “the real Jesus” in the midst of a photoshoot when a stranger asked to speak with him and hold his hand.

For others, portraying Christ is an acting exercise. Knighton, says he based his Jesus on Jonathan Roumie’s jocular and playful portrayal in “The Chosen,” a popular television show depicting the life of Christ. “Stoic Jesus is intimidating,” explains Knighton. “A Jesus who smiles and pats you on the back is much more relatable.”

A Blurry Focus?

Whatever their reasons, there’s a clear and growing demand in Utah for Jesus lookalikes, and a market of tall, long-haired, bearded men more than happy to fill it. 

If you’re in Utah and fit the physical bill, you may want to consider posing as Jesus. It may just bring you closer to God… for a couple hundred bucks an hour.

But what do you make of the Christians posing with these Jesus impersonators and sending out engagement notices and Christmas cards with His holy presence?  Is it a meaningful way to showcase one’s faith, or does it strike you as a bit odd? 

For many Christians, Jesus is always in focus. But does he literally need to be in the frame?