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In this reported feature, associate editor Aiyana Ishmael takes on the spectacular organized chaos of a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest hosted in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village that ended up boasting an appearance from Chalamet himself — and was ultimately shut down by the NYPD.
Roughly 30 flyers scattered across Lower Manhattan, a $50 cash prize, and a $500 citation are the quantitative markings of a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest. Anthony Po (also known by the pseudonym Gilbert when referring to the organization of this specific event) says he and his friends have been putting on similar events like this in the city since the beginning of 2024.
“We more or less do the same thing every time for marketing, just hang up a couple flyers and try to host,” Po tells Teen Vogue. “A small community event. This one has definitely turned into something more.”
On Saturday, October 26, the same team hosted a Kai Cenat Lookalike Contest that had barely 20 people attend. So, Sunday’s Chalamet contest with a turnout of over 2,000 people — with Timothée himself showing up — just was not something they could’ve expected nor prepared for.
Roberto, 23, lives with Po and served as their lead bodyguard for the event. “I got put into a group chat yesterday and now I’m here with an earpiece,” he says. “The scale of it, I didn’t expect this.”
The event was held at Washington Square Park, in the heart of the campus of New York University, Timmy’s own alma mater. From protests to influencers with tiny microphones conducting random interviews to full-scale TV and film productions, you’re set to see just about anything happen under the arch on any given day. Around 12:30, groups of girls, Timmy hopefuls, and other curious minds began to converge in the park, whispering amongst each other to ask if they were in the right place for the Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Contest. Young women hoping to find love arrived with signs and business cards with their phone numbers emblazoned; others traveled from across the country to win the miniscule cash prize.
But Sunday’s attendees and contestants would be leaving with a lot more. About an hour before the event began, notable and infamous Timothée fan account @ClubChalamet posted a link on X to an official news livestream of the event, confirming that there would be more eyes on this event than first predicted. (ClubChalamet declined to comment on the event to Teen Vogue.) The event surged in a way only true movie stardom could inspire.
There were lookalikes dressed as Chalamet-as-Bob-Dylan. There were several Willy Wonkas (a byproduct of Halloween being so close on the horizon). There were lookalikes that did not know they were lookalikes, entering the contest only after repeated assumptions were made as to why they were even there. Then there were some who competed by force of their girlfriends.
At 1 p.m. sharp, the starting gates were open, and a red carpet, a large trophy, and a giant cardboard check for an ironically small sum awaited at the base of the arch. It took only 12 minutes for the event to be shut down.
NYPD arrived at a nearly identical moment in which Chalamet himself pulled up to snap a few photos with his doppelgängers. According to ClubChalamet, there was over $5,000 raised for charity with a specific request that Timmy make an appearance at the event. As police pushed into the large crowd, attendees began to boo as Po tried to keep the pandemonium at bay.
“They are scared it’s going to be unsafe and too rowdy,” Paige, head creator and producer of the event, says while her team is handed a bright pink citation for $500. “Now that a lot of our crew is occupied with trying to communicate with the deputies, it’s a little out of hand so we’re trying to keep it as civil as possible.”
Law enforcement stated that the group did not have a permit to host the event and they could no longer hold it at the park. This led to an impromptu Timothée Chalamet parade around the Village, with the event moving a few blocks over to Mercer Playground. Roberto the bodyguard says that the team had a Plan B location set in place for this very reason. As the crowd marched, some attendees loitered at the arch. They were met with aggression, with officers yelling into their megaphones: “If you do not clear the area you will be summoned.” One of the Chalamet lookalikes was handcuffed. The creators of the event believe he might’ve been hauled off as a mistaken member of the organizing party.
“It was a shame we copped a $500 fine, but it’s the price of culture,” Gilbert says. And while the contest was a clear success, Gilbert says the team has no plans to host anymore lookalike contests in the future.
Amidst the chaos, Miles, wearing a Willy Wonka costume, took home the coveted cash prize and trophy. Below we spoke to several Timmy-T lookalikes and attendees about the alluring and disorienting spectacle of the 2024 Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Contest.
Spencer, 22
“[Timothée] gave me a nice big hug. I thought he was another clone. He put his hand on my shoulder and I was like ‘Okay, he’s taking a photo with us.’ It was him though. He gave me a hug, it was really comfy. He’s wearing a really soft sweater. Some guy with him was like, ‘Do we have an exit plan?’”
Miles
“Halloween is around the corner, I thought, I might as well wear this [Wonka costume] to the contest. I brought candy to make it more interactive.”
Sommer, 24
“These cards have my name, image, and a bespoke email on them because Hinge is not working and I have to try different things.”
Vincent, 18
“I saw the flyer over in the East Village and thought, ‘I want to do this.’ There’s a lot of different types of Timmys, but these sideburns are all me. If they want me to shave them to look more like Chalamet then I’m ready to do it.”
Blaise, 25
“I knew that the contest was happening today, but I didn’t plan on entering. I’ve gotten before that I look like Timothée Chalamet but I didn't expect it in the first 30 seconds of walking into the park.”
Tristan, 21
“I’m from St. Louis, Missouri and I drove to be here. To be a good Timothée you’ve got to have the hair right, you’ve got to be a little lanky.”
Ahlia and Alexander, 23
“I made that decision to bring him, maybe not my best, but it’s okay. I go to NYU and I’ve been seeing the posters everywhere. I immediately sent it to my boyfriend and told him he had to come.”
Abigail, 26
“I live on Long Island so I came down. Timothée Chalamet is my idol. I don’t care that I’m a lesbian, he is the one man to me. It’s his year. I’m just so glad I get to experience the love of Timothée Chalamet with this crowd.”
Annika, 23
“I can’t remember how I saw the flyer originally, but my friend in Tennessee sent it to me, too, which is crazy. I told my mom I was coming and she was so excited.”
Bryce
“I’m here because people tell me I look like Timothée Chalamet. I’m just trying to buy my friends dinner. The eyebrows are what makes a good lookalike — and the edge.”
