This Actor Crashed His Own Lookalike Contest in NYC — and Chaos Ensued
What do you get when you combine one of Hollywood's biggest heartthrobs, a park full of his lookalikes and an unannounced celebrity appearance? Apparently, a scene straight out of a movie — complete with screaming fans, police intervention, and even a few arrests. Let's dive into the bizarre day Timothée Chalamet turned a humble lookalike contest into pure mayhem in New York City.
A Star Is Born (in Washington Square Park)
On a crisp Sunday afternoon in late October, hundreds of fans flocked to Washington Square Park in New York City for an unofficial Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest. The event, organized by YouTube® star Anthony Po, promised a $50 prize and the chance to be crowned the best Chalamet doppelgänger. Fans arrived in full costume, channeling the actor's iconic roles — from the whimsical Willy Wonka to the brooding Paul Atreides from "Dune."
What nobody expected was for the man himself to show up.
Timothée Chalamet made a surprise appearance, weaving through the crowd to the deafening screams of fans. Sporting a casual look and a mustache, the actor paused to greet attendees and pose for selfies. A TikTok® video of Chalamet flanked by fans in costume quickly went viral, racking up millions of views.
When the Crowd Becomes the Plot Twist
While Chalamet's cameo thrilled the crowd, the sheer number of attendees quickly overwhelmed the park. What started as a fun gathering snowballed into chaos as thousands of people tried to catch a glimpse of the Oscar-nominated star. Police soon intervened, declaring the gathering an "unscheduled demonstration." Four people were taken into custody, and a lookalike dressed as Willy Wonka was mistakenly led away by officers — prompting fans to chant, "Free Timmy!"
The real Timothée Chalamet was not among those arrested. He left the scene before things spiraled out of control.
And the Winner Is ... Chocolate?
Despite the commotion, the competition found a way to continue. The group relocated to a nearby playground, where the judges declared Miles Mitchell, dressed as Willy Wonka, the winner. His secret weapon? Handing out chocolate to woo the crowd and judges alike.
Anthony Po later reflected on the chaotic day, admitting he hadn't anticipated the event's massive turnout. "I thought, 'There is not a single place on earth that is less safe at 1 p.m. Sunday for Timothée Chalamet than Washington Square Park,'" he said, as reported by The New York Times.
A Tale as Old as Time
Interestingly, Chalamet isn't the first celebrity to witness or participate in a lookalike contest of their own. Dolly Parton once famously entered a Dolly Parton lookalike contest — and lost. Legend has it Charlie Chaplin placed third in a contest dedicated to his likeness. It's a reminder that even the most recognizable faces can have trouble outshining their admirers.
The Aftermath
For Anthony Po, the event marked one of the wildest moments of his career — on par with eating an entire tub of cheeseballs and faking an alien invasion in Florida. But it also served as a lesson in crowd control. He has no plans to host another lookalike contest, though he's sure this one will go down as a legendary stunt.
As for Timothée Chalamet? He may want to think twice before crashing any more gatherings dedicated to his unmistakable charm. Or maybe he'll just keep us guessing.
References: Timothée Chalamet Crashes the Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Contest Before Police Disperse Crowd and Detain 1 Person | Timothée Chalamet Showed Up at His Own Look-Alike Contest
