Glen Powell was the subject of a look-alike contest in Austin over the weekend—the latest in a string of social media–driven meetups in public spaces, where civilians channel celebrities in hopes of winning modest prizes and, perhaps, fleeting internet fame. In the past month alone, a Jeremy Allen White competition was held in Chicago’s Humboldt Park; men in athletic short-shorts turned up at Smithfield Square in Dublin for the Paul Mescal contest; Harry Styles–looking guys gathered in London’s Soho Square; and the real Timothée Chalamet was spotted among his doppelgängers at a New York City event in Washington Square Park.
Only the Powell event, which took place Sunday at Auditorium Shores, featured cowboy hats, boots, a lot of denim, a wet T-shirt, and at least one dupe of Brisket, the actor’s rescue dog. In the row of nineteen participants, abs were flashed, toothpicks were fiddled with, and twang was added to accents in an effort to win a grand prize that included a year of free queso from Torchy’s Tacos, an undisclosed amount of money, statewide adoration, and—in a gift that puts the pack of Marlboro Reds awarded to the White winner in Chicago to shame—their own chance at stardom. The Hit Man star did not show up in person, but he did appear in a recorded video to announce a cameo role in an upcoming Glen Powell–led movie or show would be awarded to the winner and members of his family.
Cyndy Powell, the actor’s mother and perpetual cheerleader, was a judge and told Texas Monthly about her criteria. “I would probably choose the guy—since Glen’s not in town very often—that’s an emotional support son,” she said. “If they are here and willing to take that role, that’s helpful. But the most important part is if they love their momma.”
Since it was made clear that the competition, which was organized by Austinite Kate Carpenter and her friends, was about more than just replicating Glen’s good looks, we decided to see if the Powell look-alikes could emulate the sage Texan’s down-home wisdom by asking contestants their advice on how to live the best life. Some answered in character as Glen. Some spoke as themselves. And one answered as Brisket.
Charlie Henry, 29, from Austin
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“Spy Kids 3-D is the best Spy Kids.”
TM: Do you think you’re going to win the contest?
“No.”
TM: Why are you here today?
“We’re big Glen Powell fans and gotta rep some Longhorn pride.”
Tyler O’Neil, 35, and his dog Brisket, from Austin
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“I don’t think I should give [advice] as Glen Powell, but I should give it as Brisket: When there is a floor hot dog, that’s an opportunity. It might be messy, but ultimately you just gotta shoot your shot.”
TM: What’s your dog’s name?
“His name is actually Brisket. We got him from Austin Pets Alive about three years ago, so Glen Powell—actually, let’s be honest—copied us.”
TM: If you were starring in a rom-com, what would the plot be?
“A reverse Hallmark movie–type setup. . . . He gets laid off here in Austin, like so many other people, and goes back to his hometown, and there’s this cute girl that he connected with in high school, and now she has an awesome butcher shop. . . . They rekindle their chemistry, and he uses his marketing background to make it a national brand.”
Bryan Menke, 28, from Kentucky
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“As I said in Twisters: If you feel it, chase it.”
Aaron Desimone, 39, from Houston
TM: What advice do you have for Texans?
“Best life advice is to be proud of where you’re from in Austin, embrace the Texas twang, but don’t try to be too much like Matthew McConaughey. And eat a lot of Torchy’s queso— that’s how you get a body like Glen.”
TM: What about exercise?
“Since [Top Gun: Maverick] came out, my life has been turned upside down with Top Gun references, and people assume I’m the hit man a lot in the gym, so people don’t want to work out with me.”
Andy Schetter, 38, from Austin
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“My life advice would be to move to Austin and stay in Austin. It’s a beautiful city.”
Eric Khozindar, 39, from Austin
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“You know, I didn’t really make it big until like two years ago, but I worked really hard. Just keep pursuing your dreams and be creative. Never stop, and always keep smiling.”
The Winning Glen: Max Braunstein, 33, from Illinois
TM: What life advice do you have for Texans?
“Better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow. That’s my life advice.”
