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

NEW YORK (AP) – Hundreds of individuals gathered near New York City's popular Washington Square Park Sunday to judge a Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest.

Key points

• The winner, Amadeo Fusca, was the crowd favorite, wearing a jersey for the NBA champion New York Knicks underneath a suit.
• One of the participants indicated up shirtless but wearing an apron – a reference to a rap music video Mamdani produced in 2019.
• Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office in January, has amassed a sizeable after on social media and among younger residents.
• Mamdani's agenda as mayor is centered on refocusing the power of administration toward helping the city's struggling working class.

For context, the winner, Amadeo Fusca, was the crowd favorite, wearing a jersey for the NBA champion New York Knicks underneath a suit. Fusca additionally had a haircut and facial hair similar to Mamdani, taking home a $100 prize.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office in January, has amassed a sizeable after on social media and among younger residents. The event was by the social media app, Sonder.

Nine participants, plenty of with facial hair similar to Mamdani's, came dressed in myriad Mamdani style, including the brown suit Mamdani wore while campaigning in 2025, red and black patterned ties, dress shoes, dark blue and black suits, and silver rings. One of the participants indicated up shirtless but wearing an apron – a reference to a rap music video Mamdani produced in 2019.

In short, hundreds show up to judge New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani look is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.