2024: The Year of Look-Alikes

Annika Petras

It all started on October 27, when those who resembled Oscar-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet gathered in Washington Square Park. One at a time, the contestants stood up on a pedestal, displaying their likeness to the “Dune” actor, while the audience alternately approved and disapproved of the young Chalamet disciples. 

The real Timothee ended up making an appearance at the contest. Miles Mitchell, 21, who appeared in a costume referencing Chalamet’s role in “Wonka,” took home the first-place trophy. However, the New York Police Department eventually responded to this “unscheduled demonstration,” and four attendees were arrested for disorderly conduct. Unsurprisingly, the event became a significant topic of discussion online. 

Following this hallmark event, Gen Z ran with the lookalike contest craze. Harry Styles in London’s Soho Square for a prize of fifty pounds. Jeremy Allen White in Chicago for a pack of cigarettes. Noah Kahan at the University of Vermont for a vinyl copy of “Stick Season.” It seemed as if our generation had found our thing, an outlet for creativity and a source of laughter and fun.

43 percent of American adults reported that they felt more anxious in 2024 than they had the previous year (which represents a rise from 37 percent in 2023 and 32 percent in 2022). 77 percent of adults felt anxious about current events — particular sources of stress came from the economy (77 percent), the 2024 U.S. election (73 percent) and gun violence (69 percent). I’m sure everyone can agree that 2024 was a year. At least in my point of view, it felt as if there was something new to discuss each day — whether it was an unprecedented political event, news about global conflicts, or a tragedy at home or overseas. Indeed, America has been metaphorically defined by separation, specifically between political parties, with “polarization” named Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2024. 

When we talk about creating a brighter future in America, we often talk about creating community and about breaking down barriers. Last year, and perhaps for some years to continue, we found a community through our doppelgangers. More importantly, though, we were reminded that there are millions of people around us experiencing the same things we are, who crave the same sense of community, who are down for impromptu meet-ups in parks or on college campuses. We have the power to change the world around us, to slowly break down walls of separation—one Chalamet at a time.