Hundreds show up to judge New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest

Hundreds of people flocked to Washington Square Park in New York City on Sunday to participate in a Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest. The event, sponsored by the social media app Sonder, drew a large crowd despite police initially instructing attendees to leave the park due to the lack of a permit. The winner, Amadeo Fusca, was selected by the crowd for his resemblance to Mamdani, donning a jersey from the NBA champion New York Knicks and a suit similar to the one the mayor used during his 2025 campaign.

Fusca received a $100 prize for his win. Mamdani, a democratic socialist who assumed office in January, has gained a significant following among younger residents on social media. The competition consisted of participants dressed in various styles inspired by Mamdani, including brown suits, red and black patterned ties, dress shoes, and silver rings.

One participant even arrived shirtless but wearing an apron, referencing a rap music video Mamdani created in 2019. The men were asked to name their favorite pizza, with the winner determined by the amount of applause they received. This wasn't the first time Mamdani look-alikes had gathered, as a similar event took place in Brooklyn in 2025 during Mamdani's mayoral campaign.