Paul Mescal impersonators descend on Dublin in sports shorts for lookalike contest

By SEAN O'GRADY 16:57 07 Nov 2024, updated 11:48 08 Nov 2024

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A Paul Mescal lookalike contest was held in Dublin on Thursday ahead of the actor's appearance at the Irish premiere of Gladiator II.

Several Mescal impersonators turned up to Smithfield Square in north Dublin for the playful contest.

The contenders all dressed in what has become known as Paul's signature look: white sports shorts and a pair of headphones.     

In a video from the contest, a group of finalists were seen lined up as one of the organisers asked the crowd to clap for their favourite. 

Most of the finalists got a fairly lukewarm response from the crowd except for one who received a large round of appluse.

The man hosting said: 'There is clearly only one perfect Maskell. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together.' 

The winner then held up a novelty cheque made out for €20 'or three pints'.    

The winner said: 'I think there's a Paul Mescal in all of us and uh thanks everyone for coming out.' 

The idea behind the lookalike competition was sparked after a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition was held in New York over the weekend and the Hollywood actor shocked fans by turning up.

Fans who gathered in Dublin sadly didn't have the same experience as Paul didn't turn up for the contest. 

The description for the contest read: 'Paul Mescal lookalike competition. November 7 at 1pm. Smithfield Square three pints or 20 euro prize.'

Teasing a potential appearance from Paul, Lovin Dublin wrote: 'In today's silly news, there will be a Paul Mescal lookalike competition held in Smithfield Square this Thursday November 7 at 1pm. 

'The winner of the competition will win the grand prize of either 3 pints or 20 euro - and bragging rights of course. The actor will be in Smithfield that evening for the Gladiator 2 premiere - so here's hoping he takes a page from Timothee Chalmet's book and shows up at the event.'

The Light House cinema, where the Irish premiere is being held announced they would be closed for the event, but one person joked: 'Real ones know it's closed for the Paul Mescal lookalike competition.' 

A Harry Styles lookalike competition is set to take place in Soho Square, London on November 9, also inspired by the Timothée Chalamet competition.

It comes after Timothee sparked pandemonium among screaming fans in New York by unexpectedly showing up to his own lookalike contest. 

Flanked by bodyguards, the actor posed for photographs with his curly-haired doppelgangers - some of whom had dressed as his characters, including Willy Wonka and Dune protagonist Paul Atreides. 

At times, adoring fans accidentally heaped their attention on the lookalikes, apparently thinking they were face-to-face with the real Chalamet. 

The frenzied event, advertised on flyers around New York, was one of several doppelganger competitions hosted by YouTube personality Anthony Po. 

As word spread on social media, thousands of people RSVP'd to the competition, which promised $50 for the winner.

But minutes after the competition began - and before the actor made his entrance - police ordered the large group to disperse from Washington Square Park on Sunday afternoon.

Organizers were slapped with a $500 fine for an 'unpermitted costume contest', and at least one doppelganger was dragged away in handcuffs as the crowd screamed: 'Let him go!' 

Witnesses and competitors told DailyMail.com the scenes that unfolded were 'insane'.  

'It was really funny, like a spectacle,' bystander Megan Hattie Stahl, 33, said. 

'The people filming it and the people reacting to the cops became another layer of spectacle. It was just absurd.' 

Fans traveled from as far as St Louis, Missouri and River Falls, Wisconsin for the wacky competition, where the best lookalike won $50. 

Competitor Noah Wilde, 23, said the contest was ranked by crowd vote, with people shouting for their favorite Chalamet.

He told DailyMail.com the crowd was 'thick' when police swooped in to try to disperse the young people. 

'They pushed one kid and then they started yelling like 'why the f*** would you push me,' and made a little circle,' he said. 

'They ended up getting arrested'. 

But the drama was far from over, and stunned fans were shocked when the real actor showed up unannounced.

'Then the actual Timothee Chalamet showed up and gave [the winner] a hug. It was insane,' Wilde said. 

Niege Borges, 34, also attended the contest in lower Manhattan. 

She described the scenes to DailyMail.com as 'chaotic and intense,' with 'people passionately screaming,' as they voted for their favorite Chalamet.

On a makeshift stage, the look-alikes were asked about their romantic plans with Chalamet's girlfriend Kylie Jenner. 

They were also asked to demonstrate French proficiency and what they´d do to make the world a better place.

Eventually, the audience picked a winner: Miles Mitchell, a Staten Island resident and college senior. 

Dressed in a purple Willy Wonka outfit, he tossed candy from a briefcase to throngs of young admirers.

'I'm excited and I´m also overwhelmed,' Mitchell said. 'There were so many good lookalikes. It was really a toss-up.'

After the cops moved in, members of the competition moved on to the Mercer Playground, where they launched a speed-dating session with female admirers. 

The NYPD told DailyMail.com one person was arrested for disorderly conduct. They were bailed ahead of a court appearance.  

Chalamet is best known for playing the protagonist in hit movies like Call Me By Your Name, Dune and Wonka.