Generation Z is not and will never be acknowledged as serious. As the youngest members of our generation encroach upon their upper teens, Gen Z is recognized as the world’s new “adults” — a frightening realization. The Louvre robbers, Gerald the dolphin and other week-long, obsessive bits spark public conversation and online activity by way of viral TikTok hashtags and parody videos. One recent online practice, staging look-alike contests, acts as ways to turn online inside jokes into opportunities to connect with others who indulge in niche corners of the internet — and possibly walk away with a shiny cash prize. Past themes have included Timothée Chalamet, John F. Kennedy Jr. (as a response to director Ryan Murphy’s “Love Story”) and Shane and Ilya from Crave’s “Heated Rivalry.” Though unserious in nature, the intention of these events signifies a larger demonstration of exercising free will in a modern, unserious fashion.
The spontaneous and unprofessional nature of these look-alike contests is what has led to their boom in popularity among our generation. One does not have to attend the contest in person to experience the collective enthusiasm created by the crowds of people gathering to find joy in one common interest — videos of the contestants and proceedings are swiftly posted online by the crowds they attract. In a world where teenagers are loaded with scholastic pressure, internships and hard deadlines, events such as these are a breath of fresh air. That feeling of adding a silly and non school-related event onto one’s Google Calendar is truly a special one.
News of look-alike contests are spread by posters in public spaces or word of mouth, encouraging anyone interested to take part in the communal festivities. Entry is free, the venue is typically a public space and anyone is eligible to be a contestant if they please. In a society where exchanges are primarily driven by payment, this practice is refreshing and one of the most inclusive opportunities for our generation to foster connections in an accessible fashion.
Phones and media have a much bigger impact on our socialization than meets the eye — spending crucial developmental years in a state of quarantine led to the development of intense codependencies with online media due to a lack of face-to-face connection. Physical isolation disabled us from sharing what we found comfort in, but I believe these get-togethers indicate a sign of healing as a generation.
A part of me is unsettled by the small yet obvious detail that the more viral look-alike contests circulate around a male character. In our online social climate, women have been harshly mocked for thinking they look similar to well-known, attractive female celebrities or characters. I can’t help but wonder if the response would remain the same if the inspiration for the event was female. There’s something else eerie about the events: Perhaps they are an indication that celebrities such as Harry Styles have grown so untouchable that we’ve had to call in reinforcements to catch a glimpse of them — civilian doppelgängers, a loud crowd and our imaginations.
One key characteristic of our generation is the impressive dedication to the media we find interest in. Musical artists’s fan bases have become forces to be reckoned with; TV show watchers ship their faves and don’t hesitate to attack their “antis.” Though commotion over and conversation online about art is important, there is one downside to normalizing these behaviors: a lack of physical communication. The organization of events, such as look-alike contests, and meetings with one another simply for the sake of connecting over a niche interest is a giant flashing signal of craving in-person connection. Only so much can be relayed through a screen, and the young people yearn for community! Through these contests, societies display a strong desire for quality bonding time through a deeply shared interest in culture.
Daily Arts Contributor Tess Tillman can be reached at tesstill@umich.edu.
