Benjamin Leatherman
Audio By Carbonatix
Celebrity lookalike contest are a big thing these days, both online and IRL. Since last fall, folks have gone viral for their resemblance to stars like Timothée Chalamet, Jeremy Allen or Pedro Pascal.
On Wednesday, a distinctly Phoenix twist on the trend took place in downtown when a horde of locals dressed up as ubiquitous personal injury attorney Brandon Rafi – whose grinning face adorns countless billboards, buses and benches throughout the Valley – for a lookalike contest.
Hundreds of Valley residents packed the event, hosted by Rafi Law Group on the ninth floor of the upscale X-Phoenix residential tower. There was a party-like atmosphere as attendees posed for photos, grabbed free branded swag from the firm and scoring free eats from Taco Boy’s. DJs from Phoenix Top 40 station LIVE 101.5 kept the energy high with a steady stream of dance-worthy hits.
Dozens showed up dressed as the firm’s namesake attorney. Some rocked his signature dark suit and red tie. Others took it up a notch, re-creating his larger-than-life billboard ads. That included 19-year-old Maricopa resident Chloe Adams, who wore a Rafi billboard-inspired costume at this year’s Phoenix Fan Fusion.
Maricopa resident Chloe Adams, whose cosplay of a Rafi billboard at this year’s Phoenix Fan Fusion inspired the lookalike contest.
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It blew up on TikTok and caught the attention of Rafi Law Group. Adams says the firm reached out after seeing photos and videos of the costume, causing them to turn the viral moment into a full-blown stunt with the lookalike contest.
“It’s awesome that my costume at (Fan Fusion) was the spark for this,” Adams says.
Other contestants went all out. A local cosplayer who goes by Mastiff built a 12-foot-long Valley Metro bus out of cardboard. It turned heads and took first place. The judges, including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, awarded her the top prize of $2,500 in cash. Gilbert resident Ethan Vowles snagged second and $1,500 for his cutout costume of a bus, complete with a hand-painted Rafi ad. Chloe Adams placed third and took home $1,000.
Here’s a look at the best costumes at the Rafi lookalike contest.
Jasmine Grajeda of Scottsdale dressed up her daughter Capri as Rafi.
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Mesa resident Landi Patchin was one of the many participants of the Rafi lookalike contest in downtown Phoenix.
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Local artist Allie Giambalvo, left, created a costume and painting inspired by a graffiti-covered Rafi billboard she spotted in Phoenix.
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Judges for the Rafi lookalike contest — including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, second from right — evaluate contestants’ costumes.
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Alana Colby of Phoenix busted out with a leftover Rafi costume from last Halloween.
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Liz Best of Phoenix poses with her miniature fox terrier, Jack, dressed as Ruffi the “Paw-ccident Attorney.”
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Travis Melger of Mesa lit up his re-creation of a Rafi billboard.
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The contest had a party-like atmosphere at times.
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Abdul Ahmed of Tempe says he “had a great time” making his Rafi costume.
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These attendees of the lookalike contest went with a minimalist approach.
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Surprise residents Evan and Rebecca Pugh did a couples costume.
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One of many Rafi buses at the contest.
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The lively dance floor at the contest.
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Gilbert resident Ethan Vowles, left, with his brother Evan.
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Rafi lookalikes came in all shapes and sizes at the contest.
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Phoenix attorney Brandon Rafi, center, just before the winners of the contest were revealed.
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Kiara Naranjo of Phoenix was one of the youngest Rafi lookalikes at the contest.
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Mastiff is interviewed by Phoenix television stations after taking first place in the contest.
Benjamin Leatherman
