The latest trend captivating social media is none other than celebrity lookalike contests, which seem to be popping up everywhere lately. From adorable doppelgangers to uncanny imitations, these contests have sparked joy and amusement among fans, eager to see who can best channel their favorite stars.
The phenomenon kicked off prominently when Timothée Chalamet's lookalike competition took place on October 27, 2024, near Washington Square Park, New York City. Organized by YouTuber Anthony Po, the event enticed many eager participants to don their best Chalamet-esque outfits, with the winner being awarded $50 cash and the joy of claiming the title. The buzz reached new heights when Chalamet himself made a surprise appearance, thrilling fans and igniting conversations online.
With the excitement of the event echoing through the city and beyond, those viral moments inspired others to host similar contests. It wasn’t long before the lookalike trend spread to London, Dublin, San Francisco, and New York, resulting in vibrant gatherings around celebrity likenesses.
On November 9, journalistic inspiration led Katrina Mirpuri to organize the Harry Styles lookalike contest at Soho Square. She noted the necessity for some lightheartedness amid dreary news cycles. The contest bore fruit when Oscar Journeaux, also 22 years old, won the event and received £50 as his reward. Participants were also recognized for other categories; beer and wine were dished out to winners, adding another layer of enjoyment.
Meanwhile, Dublin celebrated its own Paul Mescal with the lookalike contest led by Marcus O’Laoire on November 7. Contestants were asked to recreate famous lines from his breakout series, Normal People. Jack Wall O’Reilly emerged victorious, charming onlookers with his outfit and impressive delivery, pocketing either €20 or the promise of three pints at the local pub.
San Francisco’s Dolores Park buzzed with enthusiasm on November 10 as locals gathered for the Dev Patel lookalike contest. Friends Sitara Bellam, Tasnim Khandakar, and Sahana Rangarajan took charge, using social media to rally participants. The beloved actor’s likeness was celebrated when 25-year-old Jaipreet Hundal was crowned the winner, earning $50 along with flowers and even a quirky small monkey statue—an homage to Patel’s cinematic endeavor, Monkey Man.
Following suit, Brooklyn experienced the thrill of Zayn Malik’s lookalike contest over the weekend. Jaz Arnold, inspired by the success of the Timothée Chalamet contest, organized this event. Shiv Patel took home the title, claiming his win was long awaited since high school, but playfully dodged the question of his favorite One Direction song.
Not to be outdone, Chicago joined the festivities with its own Jeremy Allen White lookalike competition on November 16. With more than 50 contestants strutting their stuff, Ben Shabad, 37, rose above the crowd, winning $50 and a pack of cigarettes—reflecting White’s character from The Bear.
Social media has played a pivotal role throughout this movement. Many people flock to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts about the competitive spirit and uncanny resemblances seen at these events. Enthusiastic comments praising the likenesses often accompany photos, with one insightful user humorously remarking, "The shampoo and conditioner prize is killing me" about the upcoming Zendaya lookalike contest.
On the horizon is the anticipated Zendaya competition, which has already garnered attention and chatter online. Set to take place on November 20, 2024, the winner will receive practical prizes: $40 cash along with Carol's Daughter Shampoo and Conditioner. While some have commented on the seemingly low stakes, the fame attached to impersonation and the thrill of competition attract participants.
This lookalike craze raises interesting questions about culture and identity today. Amid larger societal happenings, these fun, albeit trivial, gatherings provide individuals with opportunities to come together, share laughter, and celebrate some of their favorite celebrities. Who knew drawing comparisons could strand such joy?
With the success and engagement seen so far, it's likely we'll continue to see more celebrity lookalike contests cropping up across cities. What started as good-natured fun is turning toward becoming its very own mainstream phenomenon. Keep your eyes peeled—who knows who might be next?
