Longtime readers of the Buffet probably remember Mini Britney performed by Terra Jole. Back in September 2007, Jole departed from performing at Beacher's Madhouse, causing the then corpulent Hard Rock headliner to dress up as the singer himself, and declare the birth of Big Britney. The battle of the Britneys raged for a while, attracting much media attention that was amusement to many and  bemusement for me. Before long Big Britney and Mini Britney were no longer performing regularly as Vegas moved on from the novelty performers and the feud.

But there is no idea not worth recycling in Vegas. Beacher's Madhouse appears to be coming back to town soon, this time at the Mirage. And, now Terra Jole is heading back to Vegas, too, performing Saturday at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Planet Hollywood.

Of course, this is 2009. Mini Britney is now going out as Mini Lady Gaga. I talked to her very briefly this morning by phone about her latest incarnation as she was preparing to board an airplane:

Richard Abowitz: Last time we spoke you were working as Mini Britney and were sure she would reign supreme forever. When did you become Mini Lady Gaga and why?

Terra Jole: Great question. Honestly, in the environment I perform in I hear a lot of Gaga's music and I just find it so entertaining and powerful that I thought why not try it and see how it works out. It has just been a roller coaster going up hill so far. So, that is good.

RA: As Mini Britney you sang live vocals...

TJ: I did. I don't think Britney Spears sings live, but Lady Gaga does. So, that was a test to see how strong my vocals could react to a different kind of sound.

RA: Is it harder to impersonate Lady Gaga than Britney?

TJ: It's different. Lady Gaga has a stronger range. It is a larger challenge for me. Britney Spears is mainly dance. And Gaga is very mocking and doing a lot of facial probing. It was hard. But it was a cool  transition.

RA: Were there commercial considerations? Do you think the market for Britney is dropping and Lady Gaga is on the rise?

TJ: I still feel both are strong. But it is a different kind of demand. Britney is almost a legend and there are tons of impersonators of her in Vegas. I feel like Gaga is growing. Tons of drag queens are doing Lady Gaga and so I figured why not do a miniature version.

Mini Lady Gaga Courtesy Photo and Mini Britney. Photo credit: Sarah Gerke