There’s a certain boldness in claiming you resemble a global heartthrob, especially when your supposed twin is one of the most sought-after stars in the world.
Yet, this hasn’t stopped hundreds of men in the UK and US from participating in the latest craze: celebrity lookalike contests.
It all began three weeks ago in New York with a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition, an event so popular that even the actor himself made a surprise appearance.
Since then, similar contests have emerged, drawing crowds eager to see contenders resembling stars like Harry Styles, Dev Patel, and Paul Mescal.
With modest cash prizes, fleeting fame, and eternal bragging rights on the line, these quirky events are capturing the imagination of many.
Our fascination with celebrity impersonators isn’t new.
Shows like Stars in Their Eyes captivated audiences for 16 years before being revived as Starstruck in 2022.
However, this latest trend focuses exclusively on young, attractive male celebrities, reflecting a playful shift in cultural dynamics.
Avani Johnson, an attendee of the Chalamet contest, believes the trend resonates because it allows a role reversal where women can humorously objectify men.
“It’s a switch in power dynamics,” she says, adding that it also highlights “the absurdity of pageantry.”
Miles Mitchell, a 20-year-old student, won the Timothée Chalamet contest that started the craze.
His resemblance to the actor first gained attention while he was studying in South Korea during the release of Dune.
“People kept asking me in shops and restaurants if I was Timothée on a press tour,” he recalls.
The contest’s appeal wasn’t just about the prize—it was also an affordable and unique experience for a student living in New York.
“Socialising can be really expensive, so my friends and I loved the fact this was a free and fun event,” says Miles. “It was something different and wacky to be part of.”
Social media amplified the event’s popularity, with one commenter on X (formerly Twitter) calling it “a historic pop culture moment,” while another noted that it showed “people yearn for weird town events.”
The real Timothée Chalamet’s surprise arrival added to the buzz, but police intervention cut the event short, forcing participants to relocate.
Unfortunately, Miles missed his chance to meet the actor. “I’m gutted I didn’t get to meet him,” he admits.
These contests reflect both nostalgia and modern humor, blending our age-old fascination with impersonation with the absurdity of today’s social media-driven culture.
For participants like Miles, it’s about embracing the surreal, while for onlookers, it’s simply good, lighthearted fun.
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