Drake gave $10,000 to a female fan who won a lookalike competition.
The ‘God’s Plan’ hitmaker got in touch with Casuals Cakery in his hometown of Toronto after learning they were staging a doppelganger contest in his honour and generously pledged to donate the “main prize” for the challenge. The bakery has been known for organizing creative community events that bring together local fans.
The bakery shared a screenshot of DM from Drake, in which he wrote: “I’m adding 10 bands to the look alike contest. For the main prize (sic).” The direct message garnered widespread attention, accumulating over 100,000 shares within the first few hours.
The company responded: “Just give me a min to stop hyperventilating this moment. I can’t believe this is ur account and u know about this omg i love you (sic).” Small businesses often see significant growth in following after such celebrity interactions.
They captioned the post: “I can barely type and a whole shock went through my body. But yes this is true and real I hope the Drake doppelgängers ready LETSSSSSSSS GOOOOOOO. You think ur gonna win $10 bands (sic).” The announcement led to an unprecedented turnout for the local bakery.
Makayla Chambers – aka Girl Drake – beat off the competition after she arrived in an oversized beige jumper and black trousers, with a fake goatee and her hair in pigtails, similar to the way the ‘Hotline Bling’ had presented earlier this year. Her attention to detail in recreating Drake‘s signature style caught the attention of both judges and social media users worldwide.
Footage shared to Instagram showed other contestants, including ‘Ozempic Drake’, ‘Denim Drake’, and ‘Durag Drake’. The event drew participants from across Canada, making it one of the most diverse Drake-themed events in recent history.
The 38-year-old musician himself reshared a number of videos on his own Instagram Story over the weekend, alongside a string of laughing emojis. His engagement with the contest significantly boosted its visibility across social platforms.
He wrote: “I love this city.” Drake’s continued support of Toronto businesses has inspired other celebrities to engage more with their hometown communities.
Lookalike competitions have seen a surge in popularity in recent months. Social media analysts report a 200% increase in celebrity impersonation events since the beginning of the year.
A Timothee Chalamet contest in New York City in October was broken up by police, but not before the ‘Wonka’ star himself joined the huge crowd that had gathered at Washington Square Park. The impromptu appearance created a viral moment that garnered millions of views online.
And last month, Glen Powell recorded a video in which he told assembled fans in Austin, Texas, that the winner would feature in his next movie. The unique prize offering set a new trend for celebrity lookalike contests.
He said in the video: “I want to pull off a heist, and we don’t need masks because we all have the same face. It’s the perfect crime! They can’t get all of us because we are one: a criminal Glenterprise. The creative concept resonated with fans across social media platforms.
“I am completely serious. This is a cash-value prize of $6 billion.” The humorous announcement generated significant buzz in entertainment circles.
Maxwell Braunstein was the eventual winner, taking home $5, a cowboy hat – and a seal of approval from the ‘Anyone But You’ star’s own mom, Cyndy Powell, who was in attendance. The event showcased the growing trend of celebrity-fan engagement through creative competitions.
The success of these lookalike contests has inspired numerous businesses to organize similar events, with industry experts predicting this trend will continue throughout the year. The combination of social media visibility and celebrity involvement has created a new framework for fan engagement and community building.
This wave of celebrity lookalike contests has also sparked discussions about fan culture and social media influence, with marketing experts noting that such events can significantly boost local business visibility and community engagement. The phenomenon continues to evolve, with more celebrities expected to participate in similar events in the coming months.
