Celebrity lookalike contests are going viral lately, and the recent one to hop on the bandwagon wasaGlen Powelllookalike contest held in the star’s hometown of Austin, Texas.Hundreds of people, including Powell’s mother and aunt, showed up at Auditorium Shores in Town Lake Park on Sunday, with contestants dressed as the actor from his movies such asHit ManandTwisters, with one dressed as a dog that looked like theTop Gun: Maverickstar’s rescue pooch, Brisket.
Glen Powell did not attend the event in person because he was stuck filming in England, but he did make a surprise appearance via FaceTime and delighted fans with an unexpected promise:the winner of the lookalike contest would get a cameo in his next movie.
In the one-and-a-half-minute clip, Powell joked around a bit about pulling off a heist as a collective “criminal Glen-terprise,” and then revealed what the contestants had to gain from the event.
“I know there is some cash and a hat at stake here, but I just wanted to say that the winner of today’s contest gets a personal prize from me. Now, you may know that my parents make a cameo in every movie I make, but today, the winner of the Glen Powell lookalike contest wins their parents or any family member of their choice a cameo in my next movie. I am completely serious. This is a cash-value prize of $6 billion.
Take a pic together for me, enjoy my favorite city in the world, keep Austin weird, hook ’em Horns and see ya around, every time I look in the mirror.”
According toDeadline, the contest was organized by Kate Carpenter and the winner was Max Braunstein, a local Austin resident who closely resembled the actor in his role as Hangman inTop Gun: Maverick. He video chatted with Glen Powell,took home a cowboy hat, free queso from Torchy’s Tacos for a year, a cash prize, and the coveted cameo opportunity.
Celebrity Lookalike Contests Are Going Viral, But They Aren’t Really New
The celebrity lookalike contests trend has shot up lately, turning into a global phenomenon of sorts, with fans turning up to events dressed as their favorite stars and having some good fun along the way.It started with aTimothée Chalamet lookalike contestin New York City in October,where hundreds of people turned up at Washington Square Park for an unofficial competition conducted by YouTuber Anthony Po. The event was a unique one asChalamet himself attended.After that, similar contests have been held for Harry Styles, Paul Mescal, Jeremy Allen White, Dev Patel, Zayn Malik, Zendaya, Clairo, and more.
Best Cameos in Movie History, Ranked
Throughout the history of cinema, moviegoers have been treated to some seriously iconic and memorable cameos that provide wonderful surprises.
However, most people would be surprised to hear that this trend isn’t really new. Back in the day, sometime between 1915 and 1921,Charlie Chaplin entered his own lookalike competition and came in third place.There were Shirley Temple contests in the 1930s, as well as competitions where hundreds of young children would dress up as Myrna Loy, Alice Faye, and Katharine Hepburn. In the late 1970s, there were Dolly Parton contests, and in the 2000s, Davidand Victoria Beckhamlookalike contests were popular.
These contests have always been a way for fans to let their imaginations run wild and show their creativity. They are simply a lighthearted token of appreciation for the celebrities andthe influence they haveon our lives. Clearly, when marketed and performed well, they can become a hit among both participants and onlookers. As well as another chance for someone likeGlen Powell to prove whyhe is the movie star of the moment.
From director Richard Linklater comes Hit Man, a 2023 action comedy film based on aTexas Monthlyarticle of the same name. Undercover and trying to catch a group of criminals, a Houston police officer poses as a hitman until he falls for a woman on assignment. Finding himself diving deeper into the world of crime, the Houston officer finds it increasingly difficult to escape his new undercover persona.
