A unique event took over Alamo Square Park in San Francisco on August 25, 2023, as crowds gathered to celebrate the city’s first look-alike contest designed to identify the “performative male.” Organizers aimed to combine humor and social commentary by utilizing an artificial intelligence model to assess contestants based on specific cultural traits associated with this archetype.
The term “performative male” refers to men who adopt traits traditionally associated with femininity in an attempt to appeal to women. Contest attendees described these individuals as often dressing for the female gaze and projecting a certain energy to differentiate themselves from other men. “They’re probably from LA, because they ran through all the women there,” said participants AJ and Mayliah, highlighting the stereotype surrounding these figures.
The contest drew over 1,600 RSVPs, attracting individuals dressed in trendy attire akin to a first date. Various performances filled the park, with music from popular artists like Charli XCX setting the scene. Contestants displayed their accessories, including canvas tote bags and vintage media collections, embodying the performative spirit that the event sought to critique.
Organized by a group of young women, including Alisa Wu and Kake Jin, the look-alike contest served as a farewell gift to San Francisco before some participants returned to their universities. Wu noted, “It’s our gift to the city before we leave,” emphasizing the playful yet critical nature of the event.
The contest featured a preliminary round utilizing a custom-built AI model, which assessed photos submitted by contestants. The AI was programmed to recognize specific cultural markers—such as matcha lattes, flared pants, and feminist literature—allowing it to distinguish between genuine performances of femininity and superficial attempts at appeal. All participants received gift cards from Kiss of Matcha, the event’s partner.
As the crowd waited for the judging process, some contestants engaged in playful antics, while others sported amusing slogans like “Future is Female” on their shirts. The judging panel consisted of the event’s hosts, who evaluated each contestant’s performance using a star rating system reminiscent of the Roblox game, Dress to Impress.
The contest drew comparisons to similar events across the United States, including a Timothée Chalamet look-alike competition in New York and a recent Dev Patel contest in San Francisco. This trend appears to be expanding on the West Coast, with prior events held in Seattle and Silverlake, Los Angeles.
The title of the winning “performative male” went to local resident James Bennett, a graduate of UC Berkeley. Bennett captured the audience’s attention with his signature look: baggy jeans, a thrifted cardigan, and a matcha latte in hand. He embraced the title, stating, “We shouldn’t villainize men enjoying feminine things,” and emphasized the positive aspects of engaging with feminist literature, which he described as “absofuckinglutely performative.”
The atmosphere in Alamo Square Park buzzed with excitement as attendees celebrated Bennett’s victory, reinforcing the event’s blend of humor and social critique surrounding male identity in contemporary culture. As the trend of recognizing “performative males” continues to gain traction, San Francisco’s unique contest highlights the playful exploration of gender roles and societal expectations in a vibrant urban setting.
