Timothée Chalamet added a dose of surprise and humor to his own look-alike contest in New York City, turning a lighthearted event into a memorable spectacle. Held in Washington Square Park on Sunday, October 27, the contest quickly became a scene of unexpected chaos, culminating in police intervention, fines, and the arrest of a “Fake Timothée” impersonator.
The event, organized by YouTube personality Anthony Po, promised a fun afternoon and a $50 prize for the best Timothée Chalamet impersonator. Fans arrived dressed as various Chalamet characters, from his signature roles in Dune to the beloved Wonka. The gathering even attracted the attention of Timothée Chalamet himself, who appeared unexpectedly, mingling with contestants and posing for photos—a move that delighted fans but significantly heightened the crowd’s excitement.
Miles Mitchell, a 21-year-old college senior from Staten Island, took the top spot at the event, winning over the judges in his perfect rendition of Chalamet’s Wonka. Dressed in Chalamet’s purple-hued attire, Mitchell not only took home the prize but was also celebrated with a trophy in a ceremony that was as spirited as it was unpredictable.
Due to the large crowd and the publicity generated on social media, thousands of people flocked to the park to witness the event, resulting in an unexpectedly large and boisterous turnout. Before Chalamet’s arrival, police had already been called to disperse the crowd, citing the organizers with a $500 fine for conducting an “unpermitted costume contest.” Although officers began clearing the area, Chalamet’s surprise appearance seemed to reignite the excitement, prompting fans to trail after the star and his look-alikes. As the crowd’s energy intensified, the organizers relocated the event to a nearby park to wrap up the remaining festivities.
Despite the hiccups, the contest proved to be a memorable fan experience. Contestants took part in a variety of quirky challenges, including French-speaking tests and questions on Chalamet’s pop culture presence, his alleged romance with Kylie Jenner, and even hypothetical world-improvement scenarios.
Event producer Paige Nguyen described the day’s unexpected turn, admitting that what started as a fun gag quickly escalated into “pandemonium.” Speaking with the Associated Press, Nguyen reflected on the event’s viral success, explaining that its success on social media was both thrilling and daunting. Anthony Po, the contest’s organizer, later joked on X (formerly Twitter), “Thanks, my #1 fan (Timothee), for showing up,” embracing the humorous twist in the day’s events.
Online, fans were equally animated, with social media buzzing over Chalamet’s unexpected cameo and the frenzy that followed. “He had the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever, and HE DID it,” tweeted a fan page, summing up the general sentiment of surprise and amusement. Other users shared photos and videos of Chalamet weaving through the crowd in a mask before his grand “reveal,” while one viral post humorously commented on the arrest of a Timothée Chalamet look-alike, asking if he had been detained for attempting a “rebellion on Dune.”
For those present, the event felt like a unique moment in fan history—an unscripted, humorous spectacle that brought fans closer to their idol, if only for a few unforgettable minutes.