Can’t take my eyes off of…the Heath Ledger lookalike contest happening this Saturday

Note: *Patrick Verona was the alias of organiser Joshua Khoury in the leadup to the event.

You may have seen posters promoting a Heath Ledger lookalike contest at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park on Saturday November 23. Whether you walked past without giving it much thought, or stopped to take a photo, you cannot deny the power of a good lookalike contest and the getting together of attractive and delusional people in one space — or should we say the new ‘third space’.

This renewed interest in lookalike contests is credited to a Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest organised by YouTuber Anthony Po and social media influencer Tamir Omari on October 27. They used Partiful, a platform for organising parties, and put up posters around New York to promote the event. 

Despite the cult-like popularity enjoyed by Chalamet, what was to come was unlike before. Media headlines zeroed in on the arrival of Timothee Chalamet himself — no, he did not compete — and eventually, the event was shut down by police as no permit was obtained for the contest. From New York to Dublin, London to San Francisco and Chicago, we began to witness Paul Mescal, Harry Styles, Dev Patel, Zayn Malik and Jeremy Allen White contests pop up in real time. 

Now it’s time for Australia to get in on the trend. This Saturday both a Jacob Elordi contest will hit the State Library of Victoria (it’s not the Fine Arts Library but it will do) and a Heath Ledger contest will be descending upon Newtown, with a surprise local comedian as host. 

Honi Soit spoke to the organiser behind this anticipated event, and who shall be referred to as Patrick Verona* from hereon, aka the character played by Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999).

Not to be mistaken for a Heath Ledger fan page, @heathledgerlookalikecontest is filled with photographs of Heath, and follows one person: Jack Gyllenhaal. Patrick Verona is certainly committed to the bit and here’s why you should too.

When asked about the lookalike contest trend, Patrick said, “I definitely had heard of them, and didn’t think too much. Once there had been a couple that were gaining traction, I thought someone should do one in Australia.”

It was a few days later that the idea crystallised in his mind: he could be the one to make that happen.

Silently berating myself for such a redundant question, I asked why Patrick chose Heath Ledger as the subject for the contest and if there were any alternative options. Sure enough, Heath was top contender but another Australian hottie was revealed to be in contention: Jacob Elordi. We were this close to a double-Jacob Elordi lookalike contest which would have taken the Melbourne-Sydney rivalry to new heights. Literally. 

“Jacob Elordi should be flattered that he was even in the conversation,” Patrick jokingly added before explaining that Heath not only seemed like a lovely guy, but someone “worth celebrating”. 

“There is a cross-generational and apolitical appeal to him, which is nice because he can bring everyone together.” 

Similar to Paul Mescal lookalikes reciting lines from Normal People (2020) or Dev Patel lookalikes dancing to the Slumdog Millionaire (2008) soundtrack, there will be contests within the major contest. This includes a “I love you baby singing contest” — not to be confused with a “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You singing contest” — a ‘look moody while holding a film camera’ contest, a Joker beatboxing contest, whose beer is the coldest challenge, and a race across the Nullarbor. The final activity is pending logistics.

While hoping to see the various Heath looks within films like 10 Things I Hate About You “where he’s just Australian for no reason…but he’s so cool that no one is allowed to question him”, his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) or as a cowboy in Brokeback Mountain (2005), Patrick did refer to the co-opting of the Joker by the right and how the character’s legacy has been tainted as a result.

“Not to discourage people from dressing as the Joker, an iconic role, but there’s something slightly morbid about the Joker’s portrayal in the media, obviously with Heath’s own health struggles, and I just want to steer clear of that.” 

While “there’s nothing heartthrob-y about the Joker”, Heath is the definition of an eternal heartthrob and there are plenty of directions for contestants to go in. 

Australian films Two Hands (1999) and Candy (2006) have Patrick’s stamp of approval for inspiration. “Heath has such a multiplicity of books. I really want to just encourage as many people to enter and bring a unique take of Heath to the table,” he added.

For those interested in the logistics of organising said contest, Patrick explained that while his promotional efforts have been intentionally placed around Sydney he mostly wanted it to be “something that was just like organically happening around people”. He added that there is ironically a “non-digital” aspect to these contests saying, “obviously, these things have QR codes and are a social media trend, but I think there’s an element in which they very much take place in a physical world.”

If you’re still on the fence or unamused, hear Patrick out. 

“I’m more thinking of it as a variety, entertainment thing than a competition. I really hope the vibe is like a picnic, and it’s people hanging out with their mates, and this is the random entertainment for the day.”

For eager-eyed contestants out there, Patrick supplied some tips to help you on your path toward victory: general knowledge and appreciation of Heath, and being a good person.

“If anyone is able to rescue a cat from a tree, or help an old lady with her shopping across Camperdown Memorial Rest Park right before, that would be really good. That’s what he could have done, you know? Of course if someone stages that…very disappointing.”

The turnout is expected to be somewhat skewed to women with more onlookers than competitors to show up. 

Patrick referenced the increasing discussions around having female lookalike contests, saying “I feel like that’d be gross and misogynistic”, noting that it’s been a conversation among female friends he’s spoken to. 

Instead, the contests have been “very gently subversive”. Patrick said that the lookalike contests have come to symbolise in creating a “space for the female gaze in a wholesome way” and the “objectification of men but not in an insidious or toxic sense”. 

However, he did not completely discount female lookalike contests and said a Patti Smith contest would be cool. Similarly, one Twitter user put out a call to action asking “lesbians to start organising if we must continue doing this lookalike thing, I’m tired of seeing hordes of men.” Someone organise a Sam Kerr lookalike contest, stat.

Patrick acknowledged that the trend will fade away but in a “COVID hangover and the internet means that there is a demand for in-person things. Maybe the lookalike contests will die out, but my hope is that we do keep seeing in-person events.”

When asked if he hopes the contest will go viral or he would rather it be a local success, Patrick replied that the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but the purpose of this contest is “for the people that hopefully show up on Saturday, not the people on Twitter”. 

“If people want to talk about us and engage with it online, I dig it. It’s been really cute to walk past the flyers and see people taking photos and laughing.”

For those eager to meet the organiser, Patrick revealed that he would enter a Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson lookalike contest: “My god, I am muscular, but with a thick head of hair and no male pattern baldness.” 

Make of that what you will because I do not want to disrupt the lore that Patrick is a Heath impersonator for a living. You can be the judge of the judge Saturday afternoon where Patrick will be judge-in-chief, in addition to input from the audience and a panel. 

“Bring an esky and come with your friends,” Patrick encouraged. “Come for the laughs but also for the community.” 

If you love the trend, blame it on Timothee Chalamet. If you hate the trend, you can also blame it on Timothee Chalamet. But if you meet new friends or acquaintances, you can thank Heath Ledger and Patrick Verona.

For more details, visit the Facebook event, Eventbrite page or Instagram account.

Timeline of lookalike contests