Who is Amadeo Fusca? New York comedian wins Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest

The winner was crowd favourite Amadeo Fusca, a comedian and actor who bears a striking resemblance to the New York mayor. Fusca appeared at the contest wearing a New York Knicks jersey underneath a suit, complete with a haircut and facial hair similar to Mamdani's.

The 40-year-old defeated around 10 other contestants to win the $100 prize in front of approximately 200 cheering spectators, the New York Post reported.

Who is Amadeo Fusca?

Fusca is a comedian and actor who has gained attention on social media for posting skits impersonating Mamdani.

He told the New York Post that he began incorporating the mayor's mannerisms and appearance into his professional work after friends repeatedly sent him pictures of Mamdani during his mayoral campaign, pointing out their striking resemblance.

“It was kind of the perfect storm of people constantly hitting me up,” Fusca said after winning the contest.

Fusca has also appeared in episodes of the hit television series NCIS and in the film The Alto Knights.

He recalled that he had been growing his hair when Mamdani won the mayoral race and said the messages about their resemblance became overwhelming.

“The funny thing is, I was growing my hair, and I was like, ‘No, I’m growing my hair, I don’t really want to do that.’ And then when [Mamdani] won, it was just insane, the messages I was getting,” he said.

Fusca eventually decided to embrace the resemblance. He said he went to the barber on the morning of the contest and asked for a haircut that would make him look more like Mamdani.

“I went to the barber that morning and said, ‘Here, cut my hair, and make me look like this now.’ And, like, I have to look like this all the time now!” he said.

Fusca began posting Instagram videos parodying Mamdani and imitating his appearance and mannerisms. The videos gained traction, eventually leading to paid appearances at variety shows and other events.

“I started doing Instagram videos to parody him and take on his shape,” Fusca said. “It started to get more love, and I sort of realized recently that people are hiring me to do their variety shows.”