Celebrity look-alike competitions have emerged as a hidden gem in 2024. Spreading across major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Dublin, self-proclaimed look-alikes of Hollywood's latest leading men have come together in organized settings. These competitions offer a unique opportunity for fans to come together and celebrate the uncanny resemblances. Since late October, seven such look-alike contests have been held, bringing together men resembling Timothée Chalamet, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, Harry Styles, Dev Patel, Zayn Malik, Jack Schlossberg, and Jeremy Allen White. The result is a unifying event that fills the air with unbridled joy.

Trendsetter: The Chalamet Look-Alike Contest

It all began when YouTuber Anthony Po and social media influencer Tamir Omari held a Timothée Chalamet look-alike competition in New York's Washington Square Park on Oct. 27. NBC News reported that crowds of spectators and doppelgangers dressed in Wonka and Dune costumes numbered in the thousands. Four people were even arrested at the event. Miles Mitchell, 21, who won the $50 grand prize, described it as the craziest environment he had ever been in. "It was the most unserious event ever. The thought of people getting arrested at the [Chalamet] look-alike contest is hilarious," he said. And to everyone's surprise, the real Chalamet made a guest appearance, adding to the excitement. Cramer Ekholm, 18, was flown to New York from Wisconsin by MCoBeauty to compete. "I was not in the crowd when [Chalamet] arrived, but I did hear the reactions. People got really loud, and the crowd started to gather tighter around him," he told Yahoo.

These events not only bring together look-alikes but also create a buzz in the city. The energy and enthusiasm are palpable, making it a memorable experience for all involved.

Patel's Doppelganger Contest: A Community Affair

After seeing the success of Chalamet and Mescal look-alike contests, three childhood friends, Sitara Bellam, Tasnim Khandakar, and Sahana Rangarajan, decided to organize a Dev Patel doppelganger contest in San Francisco's Dolores Park on Nov. 10. Bellam explained, "Us picking [Patel] was the result of what felt authentic to the community around us. We were largely influenced by the South Asian community we grew up around in San Jose, Calif., and spent time with in college in the Bay Area."

Ahead of the competition, Sudev Namboodiri, 25, got a haircut to better match Patel's look and increase his chances of winning. "I went to the salon and cut my shoulder-length hair to a layered, medium length. I told them about the contest, and they found it hilarious. We looked up pictures of [Patel] and used that as inspiration," he said.

Out of the 22 participants, judges thought Jaipreet Hundal, 25, looked the most like the Monkey Man actor. He took home $50, flowers, and a small monkey statue. Hundal, whose girlfriend thinks he looks like Patel, competed in hopes of meeting other people in the city. "So many people showed up. It must've been at least 500 people, and everyone brought positive energy. It was fun getting a dose of what it's like to be a celebrity as well, after winning the competition. I made some new friends thanks to that," he said.

Jeremy Allen White's Look-Alike Contest in Chicago

On Nov. 16, Jeremy Allen White doppelgangers gathered in Chicago's Humboldt Park for a look-alike contest organized by roommates Kelsey Cassaro and Taylor Vaske. Three days earlier, Cassaro created a flier for the contest as a joke, but it quickly gained popularity. Copies were printed and taped around the city. "We expected maybe five people and some of our friends to come out, but having hundreds of people show up was definitely chaotic. Everyone there was cooperative and just excited to make way for the Jeremys!" Cassaro told Yahoo.

Out of approximately 60 White look-alikes in dark-blue aprons, Ben Shabad, 37, a therapist, was awarded $50 and a pack of Marlboro Red cigarettes. The cigarettes were likely a nod to the smoking habit of White's character, Carmy, which he kicked in Season 3. White's ties to Chicago extend beyond The Bear. He played Carmine "Carmy" Berzatto, a successful young fine-dining chef who returned home to run his late brother's sandwich shop. He also starred as Philip "Lip" Gallagher on Showtime's Shameless, another series filmed in Chicago. Cassaro and Vaske wanted to celebrate his legacy in the city and draw attention to the fact that he "has a lot of look-alikes here."

"I've had fun seeing the competitors from each city myself, and I think the entire concept is just silly enough to fuel some good laughs online during a stressful time. My favorite part of the day was just how many people came up to thank us for all the joy it brought them that day," Cassaro said.

These competitions are not limited to men for long. A Zendaya doppelganger contest is scheduled for Nov. 20 in the actress's hometown of Oakland, Calif., continuing the trend of bringing communities together through the fun of look-alike competitions.