Inside NYC's Chaotic Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Competition

When flyers for a Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Competition began circulating across New York, cinephiles didn't expect the event to turn disorderly. However, as hundreds of Chalamet impersonators and fans gathered at Washington Square Park hoping to catch a glimpse of the real Chalamet, the crowd became unruly. After Chalamet's brief appearance on Sunday, the NYPD shut it down. Untapped New York was on the scene and spoke to a few of the hopeful contestants.

Chalamet, who is currently shooting a New York-based film titled Marty Supreme, has no shortage of fans. According to Teen Vogue, two thousand people came to the park for the Lookalike Competition. However, New York City events with 20 or more people require a permit—which it does not appear the organizers obtained. As a result, police asked attendees—many of whom were thin with tousled brown hair—to leave the park.

Despite rising tensions as police asked participants to go home, everyone remained committed to the cause of identifying the best knockoff Chalamet. One Chalamet lookalike of small stature was hoisted onto a friend's shoulders while those nearby chanted "Tiny Tim!" and "The People's Timmy!"

"I don't want to get kicked out because I'm going to be jealous of anyone else who wins," said Tiny Tim, referencing the $50 prize promised to the winner of the competition, hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po.

Po, who attended the competition in a tuxedo and tophat, is known for organizing events around New York City. One of his previous stunts was wearing a bright orange mask to eat an entire jar of cheeseballs while a supportive crowd watched and applauded. However, it seems the Lookalike Contest, which incurred a $500 fine, is Po's biggest project to date. Though Tiny Tim was not forcibly removed from Washington Square, at least one arrest was made.

Adam Porker Goldberg and Ethan Lindley are both big fans of Chalamet. As the crowd under Washington Square Arch grew increasingly hectic, they watched from across the street. Though neither were competing in the event, Lindley was hoping to make a connection.

"I was looking for a potential suitor; I was twink hunting. This has been even better than I expected," said Lindley, laughing.

Moments later, the crowd erupted into screams as Chalamet himself made a brief appearance at the event. After taking photos with a select few lookalikes, he ran down the street and disappeared.

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Actor Timothée Chalamet made a surprise appearance at his own look-alike contest in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, a well-attended event that drew an order to disperse from police and at least one arrest.

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After Chalamet crashed the event, attendees began to disperse, but a few dedicated Doppelgängers stuck around. Athean Myat, who came dressed as Chalamet in Wonka, recently moved to the city and was hoping the event would bring him a sense of community.

"I decided to join something completely out of my comfort zone. I saw this lookalike poster when I was walking around Brooklyn and thought 'Well, why not me?'"

Myat said he watched Wonka three to four times in preparation for the competition. Meanwhile, others took a different route when it came to their lookalike outfits.

Madeline Hill and Ellie O'Connor attended the event dressed as Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner.

"I came as support for my stunning, most handsomest boyfriend Timothée," said O'Connor, who spoke in character as Jenner.

Though Chalamet is a celebrity cherished by O'Connor and many others, she may have to wait for another opportunity to catch a glimpse of him again.

"He is a star and a treasure to me."

21-year-old Staten Island resident Miles Mitchell, another Wonka-inspired lookalike, won the "Best Tim" title and the $50 prize.