ADVERTISEMENTs
Zohran Mamdani lookalike contest draws young crowd in NYC
Organizer calls it a “joyous” return to lookalike competitions.
-
Pranavi Sharma - Sun, 15, Jun 2025
- 02:39 EDT
- 29
The contest, modeled after similar irreverent pop-up events popular among the city’s internet-savvy youth, was organized by 23-year-old content creator Anthony Po. / Anthony Po
Dozens of curious bystanders and fans gathered in Prospect Park on June 13 for an unusual grassroots event: a Zohran Mamdani Lookalike Contest. The contest, modeled after similar irreverent pop-up events popular among the city’s internet-savvy youth, was organized by 23-year-old content creator Anthony Po, who previously hosted a widely shared Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest in 2024.
“This one felt different,” Po posted on Twitter after the event. “I declined hosting any lookalike competitions after the Timothée Chalamet one—even when A-listers reached out. But I just hosted one for Zohran Mamdani.”
He described the Mamdani contest as “joyous,” suggesting a tone of lighthearted political engagement that resonated with attendees.
I declined hosting any lookalike competitions after the Timothee Chalamet one—even when A listers reached out. But I just hosted one for Zohran Mamdani.
— Anthony Po (@anthpo) June 14, 2025
VOTE FOR THE https://t.co/Rj7TQvIR3f
A Twitter user commented, “Indeed, Mamdani’s popularity with young people was exemplified by the holding of a ‘Zohran Mamdani Lookalike Contest’, part of a larger trend of irreverent and grassroots look-alike contests that were popular with New York City’s internet-literate young adults at the time.”
Another person who attended the event wrote, “Dropped by the Zohran Mamdani lookalike competition in Prospect Park yesterday and it was fun and adorable.”
Bystanders who hadn’t heard about the contest beforehand reportedly saw signs for it, laughed, and came over to learn more about Mamdani and his campaign. “Kudos to the organizers and to all the Zohrans!” one attendee added.
Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and political scientist Mahmood Mamdani, moved to New York City at age seven. He later became a naturalized U.S. citizen and joined politics as a Democratic Socialist after college.
Mamdani, representing Queens' 36th Assembly District launched his mayoral bid in October 2024 with a campaign focused on housing affordability, public transit accessibility, and economic justice. He has pledged to freeze rents for stabilized tenants, expand fare-free bus service, introduce no-cost childcare, and establish city-owned grocery stores to combat rising food prices.
Related
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.JPG)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login