Imagine walking down the street and spotting someone who looks just like your favorite celebrity – how surreal would that be? Superfan and YouTuber with 1.8 million subscribers, Anthony Po, organized a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in Washington Square Park in New York City over the weekend (Oct. 27) – forcing bystanders to do a double take. 

Po's name may ring a bell. He was the creator who caused a scene for eating an entire tub of cheeseballs and hosted a contest for look-alikes of the YouTuber Kai Cenat. At his first contest, he only got approximately 50 people. However, this time was different. 

Close to 10,000 hardcore fans and look-alikes participated in the extraordinary event. Following the gathering, he told CNN that he never expected a large outcome and intentionally left his name off posters to keep it under the radar.

3 months ago I came up with the idea for the Timothee Chalamet Lookalike Competition. Today I got hit with a $500 fine. Life is beautiful. pic.twitter.com/QYwyuedzr8

— Anthony Po (@anthpo) October 28, 2024

These so-called "Twinsies" flocked to the Big Apple from all over the country, dressed in some of Chalamet's most iconic looks. From his film characters to red-carpet moments – participants did their best to channel the actor's unique vibe! Contestants were competing for a grand prize of $50 (yes, only $50, but for the Chalamet faithful, it's more about the honor). 

But, like any true New York City event, things got a little too big, too fast. 

The massive crowd eventually caught the attention of the NYPD, who dispersed the gathering and fined the organizers for throwing an "unpermitted costume contest." One unlucky doppelgänger was taken away in handcuffs. 

"At one point, an officer approached me and screamed that I needed to leave the park," said Reed Putman, a superfan who traveled for the event. "I ignored him and moved away, but I saw another contestant get handcuffed and dragged out of the area." 

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A post shared by Reed Putman (@rputman0)

Contestants had to nail Chalamet's look and were quizzed on trivia about Kylie Jenner (Chalamet's rumored love interest) and tested on their French skills – since Chalamet himself is both American and French. 

Now, here’s where things get wild. No one expected Chalamet himself to actually show up—yet, he did!  

According to reports from Variety, the actor snuck into the crowd wearing a mask and a baseball hat (classic incognito mode). But once he revealed himself, the place went nuts. He posed for photos with fans and his look-alikes, sending social media into an absolute frenzy! 

idk what’s crazier:

1) the fact that the REAL timothee chalamet showed up at the timothee chalamet lookalike contest OR

2) the fact a fake timothee getting ARRESTED at the timothee chalamet lookalike contest 💀 pic.twitter.com/M9KpclqbS6

— mils ✩˚.⋆ (@thelorebitch) October 27, 2024

"GUYS I JUST MET TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET AT THE LOOKALIKE COMPETITION," one fan wrote online, followed by a blurry but very enthusiastic selfie with the actor. 

X  lit up too, with one fan hilariously questioning: "IDK what’s crazier: 1) The fact the REAL Timothée Chalamet showed up at a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest OR 2) That a *ake Timothée got ARRESTED there!”

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A post shared by Miles Mitchell (@miles.mitchell27)

Eventually, the contestants were forced to move to a different location. Despite the madness, a winner was crowned. Superfan Miles Mitchell from Staten Island, dressed as Chalamet in Willy Wonka, scored the title. Putman said Mitchell only won because he was passing out chocolate. 

Fan Of View: This event captured the heart of what makes fandom so magical. Fans coming together not just to admire their favorite star, but to actually become him for a day – floppy hair, chiseled cheekbones, and all. And then, to top it off, Chalamet himself shows up, transforming a fun little competition into a surreal, unforgettable moment. The connection between stars and their fans runs deep, and moments like these show just how much fans are willing to go the extra mile (or across state lines) to celebrate the actors they love. For Chalamet, making that surprise appearance proved that the admiration was mutual.

Photo Credit: @anthpo on Instagram.