On November 24, 2024, Austin resident and physician's assistant Max Braunstein made history, winning the first-ever Glen Powell Look-alike Contest.

This competition was "very much a spontaneous event," said organizer Kate Carpenter. She was inspired to put this event together just a week in advance after seeing how successful these look-alike contests in other cities have been.

"Why not take something that other cities have done, put it in our city that already accepts things like this with open arms, and celebrate a hometown hero?" Carpenter said.

Timothée Chalamet famously crashed his own look-alike contest in New York, and there were some hopes that Glen Powell would show up to his. Powell couldn't make it, but he did contribute a video message and sent his mother, Cyndy Powell, in his stead.

Powell was also a good choice because he was presumed to be a top contender for People's Sexiest Man Alive, who was announced on November 12. The honor ended up going to John Krasinski.

All the Glen Powells lined up from Number 1 to 19.Photo by Natalie Grigson

The contest started up just after 1 pm at Auditorium Shores, beneath sunny skies and in front of a crowd of almost entirely college-aged women. The 18 Glen Powells (and a Torchy's Tacos mascot) gathered close to the trees, all adorned with name tags that simply stated their numbers. There was some resemblance between them.

"I think I've found some cousins," one of the Glens told CultureMap.

Prizes for the winner included an undetermined amount of money, a cowboy hat, a Torchy's Tacos Gold Card for free queso for a year, an offer for a family member to cameo in a future Glen Powell project, a quick congratulatory FaceTime call with the actor, and of course, the recognition and adoration that comes from looking kind of like Glen Powell.

Before the voting began, Braunstein was feeling good. He walked over wearing a partially unzipped flight suit, à la Top Gun, which he borrowed from a friend who is a veteran. When he arrived, a few women in the slowly-building crowd gasped and pointed.

"I'm feeling pretty confident," he said. "If I'm ever going to own a cowboy hat, it's going to be through this."

The contest's "Glen Powell Number 2" was none other than Torchy himself, of Torchy's Tacos. Photo courtesy of Case Ellis

The first round was judged by the crowd's applause and screams; the second round was determined by a group of judges — friends of Carpenter's. The real decider, though, was the man of honor's mother.

"It's just fun," Cyndy Powell said before the contest. "When Glen's not in Austin, I need like an emotional support son. So maybe I can find one here."

She added that the whole "Glen Phenomenon" has been really fun, and that it hasn't necessarily felt sudden. "He's been doing this for 25 years now. So it's not an overnight thing. But it's something he loves."

Winner Braunstein is all smiles with the real Glen Powell's mom, Cyndy. Photo courtesy of Case Ellis.

Although the real Glen Powell was busy filming in Europe, he did whip up a video the day before the contest. Carpenter played the video for the crowd on a big TV. Unfortunately, most of the crowd couldn't hear the audio. However, the video is now available on YouTube.

The real life Glen made a video appearance before the winner was chosen.Photo courtesy of Case Ellis

After the video played, the contestants each got 15 seconds to step up in front of the crowd and make a case for why they should be Austin's Glen Powell Number 2.

"If Glen Powel's momma says [I look like him], I'm not going to argue!" Braunstein said. Other Glens referenced the actor's many movies. There were many exclamations of "Hook 'em"; two Glens said they were looking to find their Sydney Sweeney, who co-starred with Powell in Anyone But You; one Glen just ripped off his shirt; and another doused himself with a bottle of water.

Gratuitous shirtlessness is a necessary part of any Glen Powell look-alike contest, according to the actor himself.Photo courtesy of Case Ellis

Once the votes were in, the top three Glens were awarded with the sort of medals a player would get in a recreational soccer league. Glen Number Four, a.k.a. Max Braunstein, was given a giant check that literally said "some money," and was promptly swarmed by the crowd of women.

Among the throng of adoring new fans were two local students who showed up because "this is hilarious." While they were half-expecting the real Glen to show up and were a bit disappointed that he didn't, they were still happy to wait in line to get a photo with Braunstein.

After Braunstein won the title of Austin's "Glen Powell 2.0," he was swarmed by the crowd for selfies. Photo by Natalie Grigson

"I did tell people I was going to win!" he said in between photos. One would think he was the real Glen Powell with the crowd that was jostling to simply get near him.

When asked if he was expecting this sort of response, he said, "No, not at all!"