Finalists Miles Mitchell (left) and Zander Dueve shake hands at the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest. The actor (in black hat, right photo) poses with contestants at the event. Photos: AP, Reuters
Actor Timothee Chalamet crashed his own lookalike contest Sunday (Oct 27), briefly mingling with Wonka and Dune clad doppelgangers and some fans in a Manhattan park after police broke up the first phase of the un-permitted gathering elsewhere.
The actual Chalamet was discernable by the accompanying bodyguards, something the other contestants didn’t have. He posed for photos as it dawned on the ogling crowd of squealing fans that the real Chalamet was indeed standing up in their midst. He is in town filming the sports drama Marty Supreme.
Police had shut down the event in Washington Square Park, forcing participants to find a new home nearby just as the red carpet strut commenced. At least one person was cuffed and hauled away; charges were pending Sunday evening, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
Police also fined organisers US$500 (RM2,179.98) for holding an “unpermitted costume contest.”
“It started off as a silly joke and now it’s turned pandemonium,” said Paige Nguyen, one of the organisers.
Nguyen is a producer for YouTube personality Anthony Po, who dreamed up and staged the informal extravaganza by papering New York City’s Greenwich Village with fliers. Chalamet’s impromptu appearance after the police drama had cleared was just icing on the curly-locked cake.
Willy Wonka wannabee Miles Mitchell, a 21-year-old from Staten Island, was declared the winner, receiving a Publisher’s Clearing House-sized, US$50 (RM217.99) cheque made out to “Best Tim.” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
