Client asking me to Lie?

So I have a client, who has these events.. she’s new in a particular market.. where it’s taken people years and years to cultivate an audience.. we’ve tried a lot of things to boost attendance to her events but frankly, I feel like we are spinning our wheels.. we’ve tried a lot.. I’ve asked the people who have been hosting her for these events and they all tell me, this is par for the course for a newbie on the market, just keep at it.. recently she asked me to secure other local performers to help bring in audience.. makes sense.. but she asked me to lie to the venues to get the names of their best local artists.. she asked me to say I was a journalist looking to do a story.. well I gave it a shot.. and there were a MILLION questions like what website are you with, when’s the article coming out, we notice your email address doesn’t match the website... like all these things that were so obvious and embarrassing I’m not a journalist.. my Client said no matter what don’t say I’m affiliated with her... and I’m just like ack what the hell? This is a huge Client who brings in the majority of my income.. not sure what to do..? I’m also carrying a lot of guilt having to lie like this.. I’ve done 1 that went horribly and don’t want to lie any further.. I think I can do the research online and get some results for the names we are looking for.. should I just tell my client I have a problem with the lying? Or just go about my way and get the info she wants without telling her I didn’t actually lie to get it? Like should I basically tell her hey this isn’t working and it’s making me uncomfortable