Overview

• James Arthur Bennett V of Redwood City was selected the winner after finalists were narrowed by an AI tool and on-site judging.
• Organizers reported more than 1,000 RSVPs on Partiful and a crowd that forced an earlier start and created entry confusion.
• Contestants uploaded photos to performative.lol, a custom model trained on props like matcha, tote bags and feminist books to triage entrants.
• Prizes included a small trophy, custom tote bags and gift cards, with support from startups and a $500 donation from Kiss of Matcha.
• Attendees framed the 'performative male' as a satire of men adopting feminine-coded tastes, and coverage places the spectacle within a wider wave of viral look‑alike competitions.