Yesterday Washington Square Park, located in the heart of Manhattan, was the setting for an unusual event as hundreds of people gathered to participate in a look-alike contest of actor Timothée Chalamet.
Conceived by YouTuber Anthony Po, the event offered a symbolic prize of only $50 for the winner, but enthusiasm on social media had boosted interest beyond expectations.
The aspiring Chalamet look-alikes, alerted by numerous flyers posted around the city, arrived prepared, many dressed as characters portrayed by the star: from Willy Wonka to Paul Atreides from Dune.
The atmosphere heated up when, unexpectedly, the actor appeared to meet his fans. The crowd, caught in a frenzy, surrounded him to secure photos and autographs, creating chaos that drew the attention of the police.
The unauthorized gathering was then dispersed by law enforcement, who also fined the organizers $500 and arrested one participant.
Before the star’s arrival, the competition had begun amidst laughter and applause: contestants challenged each other not only on physical resemblance but also in skills tests. Questions were asked in French, the second language spoken by Chalamet, as well as on topics related to social and environmental issues.
Despite the dispersal, the group found a new location in the nearby Mercer Playground, where the enthusiasm continued on an improvised stage. In the end, it was twenty-one-year-old Miles Mitchell, dressed as Willy Wonka and armed with candy to distribute, who secured the title of “best look-alike.”
“I’m excited and I’m also overwhelmed”, he said, “there were so many good look-alikes. It was really a toss-up.”
Amidst laughter and some protests, the day ended memorably for fans of the artist, who is currently in New York filming a new project.
