Celebrity impersonation competitions have been sweeping the world and finally arrived in Australia over the weekend.
After Timothée Chalamet and Jeremy Allen BlancoThe doubles of ‘were recently crowned in the United States, Sydney hosted its own Heath Ledger contest on Saturday.
Locals who bore a striking resemblance to the late Australian actor flocked to Camperdown in a bid to be crowned his most striking resemblance.
In addition to being judged on their physical resemblance to the star, contestants also had to participate in fun singing and acting contests.
The stunt hopefuls sang their best rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, famously sung by Heath in the cult classic film 10 Things I Hate About You.
They also had to show off their best ‘grumpy’ looks and do an impersonation of Why So Serious? beatboxing challenge, a tiktok trend that sees people beatboxing like Heath’s Joker.
Celebrity impersonation contests have spread around the world and arrived in Australia over the weekend with a Heath Ledger contest. In the photo: winner Jude Bailey (c) with organizers Luca Trovato and Joshua Khoury.
However, it was competition runner-up Samuel Preston (pictured) who sent social media into a tailspin, with many left stunned by his uncanny resemblance to Heath.
All the stunt hopefuls had to sing their best rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, famously sung by Heath in the cult classic film 10 Things I Hate About You (pictured).
They were also ranked according to which beer was colder, as well as whether they had driven across the Nullarbor Plain at the age of 16 in a classic Australian twist.
A young man named Jude Bailey was ultimately crowned the winner and took home a cash prize of $51.
Jude dedicated the victory to his mother, who convinced him to enter the competition, according to the courier mail.
He was seen serenading the crowd with his performance of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You after being named the winner.
However, it was the competition’s runner-up who caused social media to plummet, with many left stunned by his uncanny resemblance to Heath.
Footage shared on TikTok showed the man, believed to be called Samuel Preston, showing off his muscles in a white T-shirt while standing alongside his fellow competitors.
Fans took to the comments section to share their surprise at her resemblance to Heath and said she should have won.
“Yeah, the tank top won that right away,” one wrote, while another simply said, “White tank top.”
Locals who bore a striking resemblance to Australian actor Heath flocked to Camperdown in a bid to be crowned most striking resemblance.
With a huge turnout at the outdoor event, winner Jude was seen serenading the crowd with a rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You after being named the winner.
The event had been advertised on flyers all over Sydney.
A third commented: “When you have eyes for second place in the Heath Ledger stunt contest.”
A fourth gushed: “Honestly, this one is good,” and another commented: “He operates like he knows he’s on camera.”
The event was advertised on flyers across Sydney ahead of the big day and was hosted and judged by comedian Joshua Khoury and Luca Trovato.
When asked why they decided to organize a Heath impersonator competition, Joshua described him as the perfect person because he is an “Australian icon”.
Born and raised in Perth, Heath moved to the United States and found fame in Hollywood with his roles in the series Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight.
He tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in his New York apartment at age 28.
It’s not the first time a celebrity competition has been held in recent days, as the trend is spreading around the world.
Earlier this month, more than 50 Jeremy Allen White impersonators descended on Humboldt Park in Chicago to show off their resemblance to The Bear actor.
Earlier this month, more than 50 Jeremy Allen White impersonators descended on Humboldt Park in Chicago to show off their resemblance to The Bear actor. In the photo: Winner Ben Shabad
Ben Shabad, 37, was officially crowned the most convincing stuntman in front of the hundreds of attendees who witnessed the competition.
Video footage captured the massive crowd chanting the actor’s name and lifting Ben into the air following his victory.
“I’m very happy,” said Ben, a mental health therapist. “This is the best thing I’ve done all week.”
Just a few weeks earlier, Timothee Chalamet caused chaos among his fans in New York by unexpectedly showing up for his own stunt competition.
Flanked by bodyguards, the actor posed for photos with his curly-haired doubles, some of whom had dressed as their characters, including Willy Wonka and Dune star Paul Atreides.
Fans had traveled from as far away as St Louis, Missouri and river falls, Wisconsin for the crazy competition, where the best double won $50.
Miles Mitchell, a Staten Island College senior, was ultimately crowned the winner and tossed candy from a briefcase while wearing a purple Willy Wonka suit following his victory.
The frenetic event, advertised in flyers throughout New York, was one of several stunt contests organized by YouTube Personality Antonio Po.
Just a few weeks earlier, Timothee Chalamet had caused chaos among his fans in New York by unexpectedly appearing in his own stunt competition.
Miles Mitchell, a Staten Island College senior, was ultimately crowned the winner and tossed candy from a briefcase while wearing a purple Willy Wonka suit in his victory.
Minutes after the competition began, and before the real Timothee made his entrance, police ordered the large group to disperse from Washington Square Park.
Organizers were fined $500 for an “unsanctioned costume contest,” and at least one stuntman was dragged away in handcuffs as the crowd chanted, “Let him go!”
Witnesses and competitors told DailyMail.com that the scenes that unfolded were “insane.”
‘The people who filmed it and the people who reacted to the police became another layer of the show. It was just absurd,’ said one.