“I can’t believe she won the contest”- Internet divided over Drake look-alike winner choice

On December 14, Toronto hosted a lively Drake look-alike contest, drawing in enthusiasts and doppelgangers of the rapper from far and wide. The Drake look-alike event, held at Queen Street West’s Apt. 200 bar, saw around 20 participants compete for a $10,000 cash prize reportedly offered by Drake himself.

Organized by Casuals Cakery, the contest featured Drake look-alikes from all eras of the rapper's career, with contestants adopting various personas of the Forest Hill-bred superstar. The winner, Makayla Chambers, a 21-year-old Toronto native, stunned the crowd and judges alike with her unique portrayal of Drake, which included a drawn-on beard, pigtails, and a baggy fleece jacket.

Despite the lighthearted nature of the Drake look-alike event, the outcome left the internet divided. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed surprise over the decision to crown Chambers as the winner.

"I can’t believe she won the contest," a user commented.

"I knew right at 0:14 who the obvious winner is going to be," another user stated.

"The girl with the pigtail braids wins," a fan wrote.

Some felt that other contenders were more deserving of the title, while others supported the choice, praising her creativity and humor.

"There’s some great looking Drakes! Must have been hard to pick a winner!" a user noted.

"There is a difference never compared him with drake," a fan shared.

"Imagine winning $10K just for looking like someone else. God really has different paths for everyone!" another fan tweeted.

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Drake look-alike contest sees wide participation

The Drake look-alike event’s format allowed participants to embody any era or version of Drake, leading to a colorful display of creativity. Notable entries included 'Montreal Drake," "Stylish Drake," two "Pigtails Drake" contestants, and the "Her Loss' Drake."

Contestants paraded down the floor, answered questions, and showcased their Drake-inspired personas while the crowd’s cheers echoed throughout the venue.

John Puente, a 27-year-old from New York City, was one of the standout participants. He traveled to Toronto just hours before the contest and shared his optimism about his chances while dancing near the venue’s entrance to stay warm. Despite his confidence, Puente ultimately finished as runner-up to Chambers. He said:

"I think I have pretty high chances. Anything can happen, but I think my chances are pretty high of taking a victory."

The contest’s organizer, Lillianna Brown, founder of Casuals Cakery, emphasized that the event celebrated Drake and his impact on the Toronto community. "This is all about Drake, this is all about his fans," she told local media.

"This is the community gathering. We’re just honoring and loving the Champagne Papi and the 6 God!"

Brown, a longtime Drake fan, shared that she’d been a fan since her elementary school days, even playing Hotline Bling on the saxophone and creating Drake-themed prayer candles.

The winner, Makayla Chambers, reflected on her win with pride. "It feels great," she told reporters of the Toronto Star. "It feels like I made it." Chambers credited her unconventional approach as the key to her victory, noting,

"It's different than everybody else's. That's why I'm like, 'OK, I'll have it’!"

The playful nature of the event mirrored past look-alike competitions for other celebrities. These include the viral Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in New York City and a Jeremy Allen White look-alike competition in Chicago, each garnering online attention.

Toronto’s Drake look-alike contest followed a similar trajectory, generating widespread social media discourse about fairness and winner selection.