Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest draws crowds in New York, Knicks fan takes home $100

Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered near Washington Square Park on Sunday for an unusual contest that turned a familiar political face into the centre of a light-hearted public spectacle: a competition to find New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s closest look-alike.

The event brought together nine contestants, many sporting the mayor’s trademark facial hair and attempting to recreate elements of his distinctive public image. After a round of applause from the crowd, Amadeo Fusca emerged as the winner and collected a $100 cash prize.

Fusca appeared in a suit with a New York Knicks jersey underneath, combining political impersonation with a nod to the NBA champions. His haircut and facial hair also closely resembled Mamdani’s appearance, helping him win over the audience.

New York crowd picks its favourite Mamdani look-alike

The contest attracted a sizeable crowd around Washington Square Park, where spectators watched contestants compete for the title of Mamdani’s best double.

Rather than relying on a formal judging panel, organisers left the decision to the audience. Each participant was asked a single question: What is your favourite pizza?

The answer itself was less important than the reaction it generated. The winner was determined by the volume of applause from the crowd, turning the contest into as much of a popularity test as a look-alike competition.

The nine participants took different approaches to recreating the mayor’s style. Several focused on his facial hair, while others copied his clothing choices and overall appearance.

Among the outfits were brown suits inspired by the clothing Mamdani wore during his 2025 mayoral campaign, along with red-and-black patterned ties, dark blue and black suits, dress shoes and silver rings.

One contestant took the imitation considerably further by appearing shirtless while wearing an apron. The unusual outfit was a reference to a rap music video Mamdani made in 2019, adding another layer of pop-culture humour to the event.

Police ask contestants to move outside Washington Square Park

The gathering did not remain inside Washington Square Park for long.

Attendees initially assembled in the popular Manhattan park, but police instructed the group to leave after organisers were told that the event did not have the required permit.

The competition was subsequently moved to a location just outside the park, allowing the organisers and contestants to continue with the event.

Despite the change of venue, the crowd remained engaged as the contestants went through the final stages of the competition.

Mamdani’s growing popularity fuels look-alike craze

The contest comes as Mamdani continues to attract considerable attention both online and among younger New Yorkers.

The Democratic socialist took office as New York City mayor in January and has built a substantial following on social media. His political profile, distinctive appearance and unconventional public persona have made him an increasingly recognisable figure beyond traditional political circles.

His mayoral agenda has focused heavily on using city government to address the financial pressures faced by working-class New Yorkers. Issues affecting affordability and the cost of living have been central to his political message.

That visibility appears to have translated into a new kind of political fandom, with supporters and curious spectators turning Mamdani's image into the subject of memes, social media content and, now, look-alike contests.

The Sunday event was sponsored by Sonder, a social media application, and appeared to lean into the growing online interest surrounding the mayor.

Not Mamdani’s first look-alike contest

The Washington Square Park gathering was also not the first time New Yorkers have organised an event centred on Mamdani impersonators.

A similar look-alike competition took place in Brooklyn in 2025, when Mamdani was campaigning to become mayor. His rising profile during that election campaign had already made his appearance and personal style familiar enough to inspire public imitation.

This latest contest shows how much his profile has continued to grow since taking office.

For Fusca, however, the political symbolism was secondary to winning over the crowd. With his Knicks jersey peeking out from beneath his suit, carefully matched haircut and facial hair, he managed to convince spectators that he was the closest match among the nine contestants.

The $100 prize may have been modest, but the event offered something harder to measure: a glimpse into the unusual ways political figures can become part of a city's popular culture.

What began as a simple look-alike competition ultimately became a lively snapshot of Mamdani’s growing presence in New York’s social and digital landscape.