A Harry Styles lookalike contest sent fans into a frenzy on Saturday, with an army of dopplegangers descending on London for the hilarious head-to-head.
Several Styles impersonators turned up to Soho Square for the playful contest which was judged by a mix of notable names and One Direction super fans, with cash prizes up for grabs.
Competitors were encouraged to dress up in bold outfits inspired by the star’s famously flamboyant wardrobe while adding their own individual flare.
The panel of judges included Ryan Lanji, a party planner known for his work on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and the author of The Book of Harry, Bonnie McLaren.
They were accompanied by several lifestyle and showbiz journalists, all of whom are self-confessed One Direction superfans.
A Harry Styles lookalike contest sent fans into a frenzy on Saturday, with an army of dopplegangers descending on London for the hilarious head-to-head
Several Styles impersonators turned up to Soho Square for the playful contest which was judged by a mix of notable names and featured neat cash prizes (Harry pictured 2010)
Prizes ranged from £50 for the winner and a selection of hair products for the victor in the ‘best hair’ category to a six-pack of organic wine for the ‘best style’.
And even the entrant unfortunate enough to be ranked as the worst Styles lookalike did not leave the event empty-handed, as they claimed a four-pack of cheap beer.
Each prize was also presented by former Love Island star Eyal Booker, 29.
After a hard-fought contest, a winner was named, however, several Styles fans took to social media to claim they were not convinced by the lookalikes.
One person wrote: ‘None of them look like him.’; ‘Are the lookalikes in the room with us now?’; ‘Harry Styles lookalike contest in London was full of some serious competition.’
Despite being told by the internet that he looks more like Sebastian Stan, Mitch placed as the runner-up and received raucous cheers from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Oscar clinched the victory with his unruly curls and sense of style.
The idea behind the lookalike competition was sparked after a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition was held in New York over the weekend and the Hollywood actor shocked fans by turning up.
Competitors were encouraged to dress up in bold outfits inspired by the star’s famously flamboyant wardrobe while adding their own individual flare
The panel of judges included Ryan Lanji, a party planner known for his work on RuPaul ‘s Drag Race UK, and the author of The Book of Harry, Bonnie McLaren
Prizes ranged from £50 for the winner and a selection of hair products for the victor in the ‘best hair’ category to a six-pack of organic wine for the ‘best style’
One wannabe replicated a pandemic look of Harry’s
Fans who gathered in London sadly didn’t have the same experience as Harry didn’t turn up for the contest.
Four days before the event, Katrina Mirpuri took to her Instagram to excitedly announce the event to fans, writing: ‘Edited with update! #HarryStyles lookalike contest in London this Saturday!’
‘1pm, 9th November, Soho Square.’
‘More details to be announced! There are prizes to be won for best lookalike, best hair, best style and worst lookalike (trophy and awards emojis)’
It comes after Timothee sparked pandemonium among screaming fans in New York by unexpectedly showing up to his own lookalike contest.
Flanked by bodyguards, the actor posed for photographs with his curly-haired doppelgangers – some of whom had dressed as his characters, including Willy Wonka and Dune protagonist Paul Atreides.
At times, adoring fans accidentally heaped their attention on the lookalikes, apparently thinking they were face-to-face with the real Chalamet.
The frenzied event, advertised on flyers around New York, was one of several doppelganger competitions hosted by YouTube personality Anthony Po.
Mitch, who replicated Harry’s Brit Awards look, was the runner-up
Oscar was the ultimate winner and its clear he was lapping up the attention
Meanwhile, Andrew was declared the second runner-up
As word spread on social media, thousands of people RSVP’d to the competition, which promised $50 for the winner.
But minutes after the competition began – and before the actor made his entrance – police ordered the large group to disperse from Washington Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
Organizers were slapped with a $500 fine for an ‘unpermitted costume contest’, and at least one doppelganger was dragged away in handcuffs as the crowd screamed: ‘Let him go!’
Witnesses and competitors told DailyMail.com the scenes that unfolded were ‘insane’.
‘It was really funny, like a spectacle,’ bystander Megan Hattie Stahl, 33, said.
‘The people filming it and the people reacting to the cops became another layer of spectacle. It was just absurd.’
Fans travelled from as far as St Louis, Missouri and River Falls, Wisconsin for the wacky competition, where the best lookalike won $50.
Competitor Noah Wilde, 23, said the contest was ranked by crowd vote, with people shouting for their favourite Chalamet.
He told DailyMail.com the crowd was ‘thick’ when police swooped in to try to disperse the young people.
‘They pushed one kid and then they started yelling like ‘why the f*** would you push me,’ and made a little circle,’ he said.
‘They ended up getting arrested’.
But the drama was far from over, and stunned fans were shocked when the real actor showed up unannounced.
Four days before the event, Katrina Mirpuri took to her Instagram to excitedly announce the event to fans, writing: ‘#HarryStyles lookalike contest in London this Saturday!’
Reacting to the announcement, one person excitedly said: ‘Trying to copy NYC in hopes that Harry, like Timmy C, will also show up lolol’
It comes after Timothee sparked pandemonium among screaming fans in New York by unexpectedly showing up to his own lookalike contest (Pictured: Some of the competitors before the actor showed up)
‘Then the actual Timothee Chalamet showed up and gave (the winner) a hug. It was insane,’ Wilde said.
On a makeshift stage, the look-alikes were asked about their romantic plans with Chalamet’s girlfriend Kylie Jenner.
They were also asked to demonstrate French proficiency and what they would do to make the world a better place.
Eventually, the audience picked a winner: Miles Mitchell, a Staten Island resident and college senior.
Dressed in a purple Willy Wonka outfit, he tossed candy from a briefcase to throngs of young admirers.
‘I’m excited and I’m also overwhelmed,’ Mitchell said. ‘There were so many good lookalikes. It was really a toss-up.’
The NYPD told DailyMail.com that one person was arrested for disorderly conduct. They were bailed ahead of a court appearance.
Chalamet is best known for playing the protagonist in hit movies like Call Me By Your Name, Dune and Wonka.
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