Timothée Chalamet unexpectedly appeared at a fan-organized doppelganger contest in New York City, turning what was supposed to be a small gathering into a viral phenomenon. The event, hosted in Washington Square Park, attracted hundreds of admirers and impersonators, culminating in a surprise appearance by the Oscar-nominated actor himself.
Anthony Po, a 23-year-old YouTuber, launched the contest and guaranteed the winner a small $50 cash reward. What began as a humorous fan event suddenly became a large-scale spectacle, attracting so many participants and spectators that the NYPD separated the crowd and fined them $500 for conducting an unpermitted public meeting.
In a dramatic twist, Chalamet entered incognito, wearing a black mask and a baseball cap. He later removed his disguise, startling visitors and igniting excitement across the park. Witnesses recounted a wild scene, with “shrieks erupting across the park” as fans realized the actor was among them.
The event featured fans costumed like Chalamet in various ways inspired by his film roles and public appearances. Miles Mitchell, 21, of Staten Island, took first place by channeling Chalamet’s “Wonka” character, complete with candy-tossing antics. Ironically, Chalamet did not fare well, apparently ranking 13th. Po said, “He might have ranked higher if he’d stayed until the end.”
Although Chalamet left before the event ended, his crew contacted Po later to express their gratitude for the gathering. They even volunteered to pay the $500 fine imposed by the police. Still, the penalty was eventually covered by Partiful, the digital invitation service that assisted in organizing the event.
The unexpected success of the Chalamet lookalike contest has sparked similar events for celebrities such as Paul Mescal, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Dev Patel, and Glen Powell. In a novel twist, Powell promised the winner of his doppelganger contest a cameo appearance in one of his next films.
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Po reflected on the event, saying he didn’t get to meet Chalamet in person but appreciated the support from the actor’s staff. “They said, ‘We thought it was great. “Thanks so much,” he said.
What began as a quirky fan gathering quickly became a viral sensation, demonstrating social media’s power and celebrity culture’s enduring appeal. For one October afternoon in New York City, fans and impersonators alike were treated to a taste of movie-star enchantment up close.
