I Lived It: A Recap Of The Thrilling Timothée Chalamet Look-alike Contest In NYC

When you spot a flyer for a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest whilst taking a stroll in lower Manhattan, you immediately add the event to your calendar. It’s called doing my civic duty during election season. This fake Timmy contest took place one day after my birthday, so naturally, I gently forced my friends to attend as part of the birthday weekend agenda. Call me psychic: I had a sneaky feeling that Sir Wonka himself would show up to Washington Square Park and as usual, I was correct. In addition to spotting the original Timothée himself, I witnessed the world’s largest trophy, a highly controversial arrest, a mob of passionate teenage Timmy stans, a variety of Timmy clones (plus a few wannabes), and media folks racing to interview the faux Timmys and admirers like their lives depended on it. As a 5’4.75″ woman, my view of the event was rather limited, so I failed to capture video evidence. Some of us just know how to live in the moment, I suppose! Needless to say, the TCLC was a gorgeous and necessary way to wrap up birthday weekend. For those who were unable to attend the event of the season, please enjoy my Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest recap.

Who Organized The Timothée Chalamet Look-alike Contest?

I don’t wanna shock anyone, but this is the work of an influencer! YouTuber and TikToker Anthony Po organized the Timothée look-alike competiton, apparently with the help of the events platform and party RSVP website/app, Partiful. “The company that I, like, used to host this said that they’d give every Timmy $50,” he said after announcing the winner. “Thank you Partiful for giving me money! Thank you to New York parks for only giving me a $500 fine. I love you!” Anthony, you are a hero. Thank you for this beautiful and eventful union of Timmys.

Who Won The Timothée Chalamet Look-alike Contest?

A young fellow by the name of Miles Mitchell took home the Guiness Book of World Records-level tall trophy. Now, did he deserve to win? That really depends on if you’re prioritizing effort or genetics. On the genetics front, Miles certainly did not earn the title. I’d believe he was Timothée’s second or third cousin, but I’d never mistake him for the Dune actor. But to his credit, this man showed up in full Wonka gear with a fierce determination to take home that $50 cash prize. That’ll get him… possibly one entree and one drink in New York! In a TikTok, he posed with his ginormous trophy and wrote, “Craziest day of my life!” I love that for him.

Why Did A Fake Timmy Get Arrested At The Timothée Chalamet Look-alike Contest?

While I was still there, one of the most believable Timmys got arrested, despite unhinged chants of “FREE FREE TIMOTHÉE” and passionate boos directed at the cops. Although we only witnessed one particularly curly-haired contestant getting put in handcuffs, there were apparently four people at the gathering who were arrested and later released with a summons. The NYPD confirmed to USA Today that the event was an “unscheduled demonstration” (IDK how they missed the billions of flyers… it was certainly on everyone else’s schedules), but they did not share the specific charges that folks were arrested under. I need the TikTok detectives on this case, stat. Fortunately, Organizer Anthony says he’ll pay all fines because that’s just “the price of culture, baby.”

Highlights Of The Timothée Chalamet Look-alike Contest

Obviously, when I spotted The Real Timmy, dainty little mustache and all, I thought: Mission accomplished. The charming king sprinted off into the distance quickly because it was a safety hazard for him to be there, but all I needed was that .7 second glimpse, and my weekend was made. Another highlight was a woman with a microphone approaching my tall, curly-haired friend and asking: “Did you submit to the contest?” in hopes of an exclusive interview with him. Devastatingly, he said no (the truth), ruining his chances of achieving fake Timmy fame. The lesson here is you should always lie when there is an opportunity for internet fame and there aren’t really any negative consequences.

Honestly, when people were shouting in support of the handcuffed Timmy, I also got the slightest warm and fuzzy ~this is community~ feeling. It’s these moments of meaningful connection and fleeting celebrity encounters that make the sky-high NYC rent worth it.