In a sea of mullets, gym shorts and takeaway coffee cups, a Paul Mescal doppelgänger has been crowned in Dublin’s lookalike competition dedicated to the Irish actor.
Held in the city’s Smithfield Square – near where Mescal later appeared for the premiere of his new film, Gladiator II – the contest followed a similar competition dedicated to actor Timothée Chalamet in New York last month.
However, while Chalamet himself crashed his lookalike contest – which ended with police dispersing crowds and one arrest – the real Mescal didn’t make an appearance.
@paulmescallookalike This might be our best dupe yet👬 tc’s apply we are not associated with Paul Mescal, if you’re his lawyer keep scrolling #lidl #lidlireland #ireland #dupe #dublin #paulmescal gladiator@lidlireland
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Although the Academy Award-nominated actor wasn’t in attendance, lookalikes did their best to impersonate him, vying for a whopping cash prize of €20, courtesy of Lidl. Donning a green hoodie, white Adidas shorts and even Mescal’s signature wired earphones, the prize ultimately went to lookalike Jack Wall O’Reilly.
Speaking to RTÉ, O’Reilly said: “I think I had a strong chance but they were all very impressive Paul Mescals, I think they put a lot of work into today.”
“We’re in a Paul Mescal era,” DJ and contest organiser Marcus O’Laiore told the network. “You’re looking at a nation who has come together with love for one of our favourite sons. He’s gone from a sausage ad to being a gladiator, and he embodies everything that’s good about the potential of this country.”
The next celebrity lookalike contest will happen in Soho Square, London on Saturday, November 9, and is dedicated to Harry Styles.
