Ella Kittler | Writer
December 12, 2024
In 2024, an unexpected viral trend took over social media and public spaces: celebrity look-alike contests. What began as a quirky idea quickly became a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of fans eager to impersonate their favorite stars. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular events.
1.Timothée Chalamet Look-Alike Contest
It all began on October 27th with a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest held in Washington Square Park, NYC. The event, which offered a modest $50 prize, attracted nearly 2,500 fans. Miles Mitchell took home the cash. To everyone’s surprise, Chalamet himself made a brief appearance, posing for photos with fans before being escorted out by security. Although no one expected him to show up, his arrival sent the crowd into a frenzy, making the event even more memorable. This contest marked the beginning of a trend that would sweep through cities around the world.
2. Paul Mescal Look-Alike Contest
The look-alike trend quickly spread across the globe, with Paul Mescal becoming the next target. On November 7th, fans in Dublin gathered for a look-alike contest, hoping to spot the Gladiator 2 actor. Though Mescal did not make an appearance, the winner, Jack Wall O’Reilly, received 20 euros and, later on, had a voice call with Mescal himself. Mescal was shocked by how much O’Reilly resembled him, and the meeting went viral. This sparked even more look-alike contests, as fans embraced the excitement of impersonating their favorite stars.
3. Harry Styles Look-Alike Contest
On November 9th, another contest took place, this time focused on former One Direction member Harry Styles. The event in Soho Square, London, drew a large crowd, though Styles himself did not attend. Instead, former Love Island contestant Eyal Booker presented the £50 prize to Oscar Journeaux, who was crowned the winner. However, the win sparked some debate, with many fans disagreeing. San Clemente High School student Megan Dougherty voiced her opinion, stating, “They look nothing alike. Someone else should’ve won.”
4. Jeremy Allen White Look-Alike Contest
On November 16th, Chicago hosted its own look-alike contest for Jeremy Allen White. Sixty men attended, dressed in their best Shameless and The Bear costumes. The winner, Ben Shabad, received $50 and a pack of Marlboro Reds. Unlike the Harry Styles contest, many in the crowd felt Shabad was a convincing impersonator. Junior Lilah Fontanes remarked, “This is definitely the closest look-alike so far. I almost thought it was him.” The success of the Chicago event reinforced the growing popularity of these contests as a way for fans to pay tribute to their favorite stars in a fun and engaging way.
5. A Dark Turn: Assassin Look-Alike Contest
However, this lighthearted trend took a dramatic turn on December 7th, when a look-alike contest in Washington Square Park went in a disturbing and controversial direction. People gathered to impersonate the assassin of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, later identified as Luigi Mangione. The winner of this unsettling contest, whose identity remains unknown, was awarded the $50 grand prize. The shift from impersonating beloved celebrities to mimicking a criminal sparked widespread criticism, drawing attention to the ethical implications of such events. The once harmless trend had taken a dark turn, raising concerns about the boundary between entertainment and insensitivity.
While the contests provided a fun and engaging outlet for creativity, the emergence of the assassin look-alike contest underscored the risks of viral trends and the potential for controversy. This shift is helpful in reminding us of the thin line between harmless fun and harm.
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