What started as a fun gathering in Washington Square Park for a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest took a chaotic turn on Sunday (October 27), when the NYPD detained an attendee for participating in the unpermitted event.
Hundreds of people showed up at the contest, which was organized with the promise of a $50 cash prize for the best Chalamet doppelgänger. However, the spontaneous crowd grew larger than expected, prompting the police to intervene. Officers were called in to manage the swarm of fans and curious onlookers.
According to NBC New York, police officers tried to disperse the group, citing the gathering for violating permit rules. Amid the commotion, at least one person was detained and issued a summons
Details surrounding the detained individual remain unclear, but witnesses say the crowd’s size made it challenging for officers to keep control. Despite the police’s efforts, the event continued to draw attention as attendees posed for photos and celebrated the quirky competition.
In the middle of the excitement, Timothée Chalamet himself made a subtle, masked appearance. He revealed his identity by sneaking into the center of the crowd, catching everyone by surprise. His spontaneous cameo delighted fans but added to the chaotic energy of the event
The contest organizer eventually crowned a winner — someone donning a purple Wonka cape. However, the joyful mood was overshadowed by the police intervention, leaving many attendees frustrated with how the event was handled.
While it’s unclear what specific actions led to the detention, the incident has sparked discussions about managing unpermitted public gatherings in New York City.
What’s your take on how things unfolded at the Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest? Should fans be allowed to gather for spontaneous events like this, or was the NYPD’s involvement justified? Share your thoughts below!