Jeremy Allen White look-alike winner embracing the 'very odd, but exciting' contest experience
When Ben Shabad decided to enter a Jeremy Allen White look-alike contest in Chicago, he was expecting to compete against a few other contestants in front of a few dozen people.So, when he arrived at Humboldt Park on Saturday and saw more than 50 other competitors, a crowd of hundreds and local news organizations, he had one thought: “Oh my God, what am I walking into here?”The 37-year-old Glenview therapist was an immediate hit with the audience, who ushered him into the final three and, eventually, the top spot with their applause.“That was surreal,” said Shabad, a married father of three small children. “It’s so funny because I didn't even really do anything. It wasn't a skill contest. It felt good because I felt like I was making all these people so happy just because I looked like somebody that they liked. So, it's just a very odd, but exciting experience.”And though Shabad was already a fan of White, he said the competition opened his eyes to the magnitude of the actor's popularity. "Jeremy Allen White is such an icon in Chicago," Shabad said. " I mean, people love this guy. He is an absolute star." Related Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest in Chicago draws more than 50 contestants And now Shabad's star is also rising. Following the contest, he has been thrust into the spotlight. His picture has gone viral on social media; he is fielding media requests from the likes of the BBC and People magazine, and he has even gained new clients as a licensed clinical professional counselor and life coach. It's a lot to handle, he admitted, but he's taking it in stride.“It's been extraordinary,” he said. “I feel blessed, honestly. I get to talk about the experience I had to a huge audience. I've had opportunities to talk about what I do for work, and that's been amazing because I'm very passionate about what I do.”A Lincolnwood native, Shabad graduated from Niles West High School and attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In addition to operating his private practice, he is a high school psychologist, and he has coached high school wrestling. Ben Shabad takes in the applause from the crowd as they vote during a Jeremy Allen White look a like at contest at Humboldt Park held recently in Chicago.Anthony Vazquez/AP Photos Prior to the contest, Shabad said he was accustomed to being mistaken for White, who portrays Chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto on "The Bear.""People just come up to me and ask, and then they usually can tell that I'm not, just given context clues," he said. "When I was flying somewhere, somebody thought I was him, but then they said, 'Well, I guess you're not him, because he would probably be in first class and not coach.'"Because of those experiences, Shabad said he was confident about the look-alike contest, which people encouraged him to enter. As a non-smoker, he didn't have much use for the Marlboro Reds portion of the reward, but he spent the $50 prize money at Lefty's Pizza Kitchen in Wilmette.The attention has been thrilling for both Shabad and his family.“I can tell you, for my wife, what was the most exciting was Carson Daly talking about me [on the 'Today' show],” Shabad said. “She was floored by that because she's been watching him for a long time.”Shabad has yet to hear from Jeremy Allen White's team, and the actor hasn't mentioned the contest on his Instagram, @jeremyallenthitefinally. Previously not on social media, Shabad has started his own Instagram, X and TikTok accounts labeled @benshabadfinally.“I created social media sites because everybody's reaching out to me and trying to figure out how to get ahold of me,” he said. “That day at the park, everyone's like, ‘How can we send this to you? How can we get in touch with you? What's your handle?’ I didn't even know what that was.”Another Jeremy Allen White doppelgänger has popped up on Instagram: @thebabycheffinally. The account features 2 1/2-year-old Massimo Morelli, who was a finalist in the look-alike competition. A group of contestants, including 2 1/2-year-old Massimo Morelli, huddle for a photo during a Jeremy Allen White look a like at contest at Humboldt Park in Chicago.Ant
When Ben Shabad decided to enter a Jeremy Allen White look-alike contest in Chicago, he was expecting to compete against a few other contestants in front of a few dozen people.
So, when he arrived at Humboldt Park on Saturday and saw more than 50 other competitors, a crowd of hundreds and local news organizations, he had one thought: “Oh my God, what am I walking into here?”
The 37-year-old Glenview therapist was an immediate hit with the audience, who ushered him into the final three and, eventually, the top spot with their applause.
“That was surreal,” said Shabad, a married father of three small children. “It’s so funny because I didn't even really do anything. It wasn't a skill contest. It felt good because I felt like I was making all these people so happy just because I looked like somebody that they liked. So, it's just a very odd, but exciting experience.”
And though Shabad was already a fan of White, he said the competition opened his eyes to the magnitude of the actor's popularity.
"Jeremy Allen White is such an icon in Chicago," Shabad said. " I mean, people love this guy. He is an absolute star."
And now Shabad's star is also rising. Following the contest, he has been thrust into the spotlight. His picture has gone viral on social media; he is fielding media requests from the likes of the BBC and People magazine, and he has even gained new clients as a licensed clinical professional counselor and life coach.
It's a lot to handle, he admitted, but he's taking it in stride.
“It's been extraordinary,” he said. “I feel blessed, honestly. I get to talk about the experience I had to a huge audience. I've had opportunities to talk about what I do for work, and that's been amazing because I'm very passionate about what I do.”
A Lincolnwood native, Shabad graduated from Niles West High School and attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In addition to operating his private practice, he is a high school psychologist, and he has coached high school wrestling.
Prior to the contest, Shabad said he was accustomed to being mistaken for White, who portrays Chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto on "The Bear."
"People just come up to me and ask, and then they usually can tell that I'm not, just given context clues," he said. "When I was flying somewhere, somebody thought I was him, but then they said, 'Well, I guess you're not him, because he would probably be in first class and not coach.'"
Because of those experiences, Shabad said he was confident about the look-alike contest, which people encouraged him to enter. As a non-smoker, he didn't have much use for the Marlboro Reds portion of the reward, but he spent the $50 prize money at Lefty's Pizza Kitchen in Wilmette.
The attention has been thrilling for both Shabad and his family.
“I can tell you, for my wife, what was the most exciting was Carson Daly talking about me [on the 'Today' show],” Shabad said. “She was floored by that because she's been watching him for a long time.”
Shabad has yet to hear from Jeremy Allen White's team, and the actor hasn't mentioned the contest on his Instagram, @jeremyallenthitefinally.
Previously not on social media, Shabad has started his own Instagram, X and TikTok accounts labeled @benshabadfinally.
“I created social media sites because everybody's reaching out to me and trying to figure out how to get ahold of me,” he said. “That day at the park, everyone's like, ‘How can we send this to you? How can we get in touch with you? What's your handle?’ I didn't even know what that was.”
Another Jeremy Allen White doppelgänger has popped up on Instagram: @thebabycheffinally. The account features 2 1/2-year-old Massimo Morelli, who was a finalist in the look-alike competition.
"We've actually been told that he looks like a mini-Jeremy Allen White because he has big, blue eyes and a full head of curly hair," said his mother, Tiffany Stella, 40, of Melrose Park, who also started a TikTok account after the contest. "And he's a natural performer, he's ham. And we're huge Jeremy Allen White fans, so my mom and I decided to enter him since there was no age limit."
Morelli had swim class before the competition, so Stella had to use gel and pomade to puff up his hair. But he showcased his acting skills by giving a Carmy-like stern look for the cameras, Stella said.
"He has been saying 'Yes, Chef!' around the house since the contest," Stella said.
She also said her son has become popular on social media, where people have given him nicknames like Baby Chef, Baby Allen White, Baby Jeremy and Little Chef King.
"It's just been amazing," she said. "We're hearing from so many people worldwide that Massimo has brought them joy. He brings us joy every day, so we get it."
So, what did Stella think of Shabad besting her son?
"We think he looks a lot like Jeremy Allen White," she said of Shabad, "but Baby Chef would be happy to rematch him."
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