The Real Mayor vs. His Doppelgängers: Inside NYC’s Hilarious $100 Mamdani Look-Alike Battle

A City Divided by Doppelgängers

While Mayor Zohran Mamdani was busy teaching families how to build campfires and roast s’mores at Inwood Hill Park, a completely different kind of gathering unfolded near Washington Square Park. About 200 locals gathered for a highly entertaining look-alike contest hosted by the friendship app Sonder, where nearly two dozen men went head-to-head to see who could best channel the city’s mayor.

The Winning Formula

After navigating through carefully curated suits, signature facial hair, and even a few playful nods to the mayor’s past rap career, Amadeo Fusca, a 40-year-old Manhattan comedian, emerged victorious. Taking home the US$100 prize, Fusca nailed the look with a confident smirk, a precisely matched haircut, and a clever twist: tucking a New York Knicks jersey beneath his suit jacket to honor the mayor’s famous post-NBA Finals win outfit.

From Viral Meme to Main Stage

Fusca’s uncanny resemblance wasn’t a fluke. During the mayoral campaign, friends constantly pointed out their similarities, prompting Fusca to finally visit his barber and demand the exact mayor’s haircut. What began as a lighthearted social media bit quickly exploded into millions of views, landing him spots on variety shows and turning him into an unexpected celebrity at Knicks watch parties. “It was kind of the perfect storm of people constantly hitting me up,” Fusca shared after claiming the top spot.

The Mayor’s Parallel Weekend

Far from the competitive energy of Greenwich Village, the real Mamdani spent his Friday further uptown promoting NYC Parks family camping programs. “We made s’mores, talked about s’mores, and learned how to build a fire,” the mayor posted, directing followers to free outdoor initiatives run by the Urban Park Rangers. Despite the comedic chaos unfolding downtown, Mamdani remains deeply engaged with his Gen-Z following and continues championing policies for the city’s working-class residents.

A Growing NYC Tradition

This isn’t the first time Washington Square Park has played host to celebrity stand-ins. Following a Jalen Brunson look-alike contest earlier this year and a similar Brooklyn event in 2025, these gatherings have become a quirky staple of New York street culture. Whether you’re rooting for the real mayor or cheering on his doppelgängers, one thing is clear: the city’s love for Mamdani—and its appetite for good-natured fun—shows no signs of slowing down.