Celebs

This was the scene at the Tom Holland look-alike contest, days after the actor’s BC visit

Tom Holland himself made a visit to Boston College just days before a lookalike contest for the famous actor broke out on Boston Common.

A Tom Holland look-alike contest is held at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. Nick Anderson, 26, of Melrose, is the winner. After saying he often gets told that he looks like Holland, he confides that he’s single and looking for a girlfriend. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

By Lindsay Shachnow

November 25, 2024

2 minutes to read

Hundreds of people reportedly gathered on Boston Common on Sunday for a Tom Holland look-alike contest, following the English actor’s visit to Boston College earlier in the week.

On Thursday, Holland surprised students at the Campus School at Boston College, which was awarded a $25,000 grant from The Brothers Trust, a nonprofit run by Holland’s family, according to a statement from the university.

Early childhood student, Wesley, with Tom Holland and Campus School staff. *Boston College*

The Campus School educates students with “extensive support needs,” the statement said. The donation will be used to purchase new adaptive equipment and technology for the school.

Holland spent several hours talking with students and “even jumping in on tambourine and vocals during a music therapy session,” the university said.

“He couldn’t have been more down to earth,” said Jennifer Miller, the Campus School’s marketing manager, in the statement. “He was fully, fully engaged with our students—they were absolutely the priority—but he was so friendly towards the staff as well.”

.@bclynchschool’s Campus School had a special visitor on Thursday. @TomHolland1996 stopped by the Heights to meet the students. The British actor also donated $25k through his family foundation.https://t.co/p7EBpwYqPN
— Boston College (@BostonCollege) November 22, 2024

Just days later, spectators flocked to the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common for a competition to crown the contestant who most resembled the “Spider-Man” actor.

A Tom Holland look-alike contest is held at the Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common. — A Tom Holland look-alike contest is held at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. *– Pat Greenhouse/ The Boston Globe Staff*

Although Holland himself did not make an appearance like Timothée Chalamet did at his recent look-alike contest in New York City, the Boston event still attracted a large crowd — a surprise to event organizers who expected the contest to be limited to a few close friends.

Winners were promised a $50 cash prize as well as bragging rights, of course.

“In a time when online dating prospects seem more dismal than ever, we have been forced to take extreme measures,” the event posting read. “We will be hosting yet ANOTHER look-alike competition to find the best local knockoff Tom Holland to give the ladies something to yearn for this holiday season.”

Ten participants competed and were tested on their Spider-Man knowledge, Tom Holland impression, dance skills, and Spider-Man pose, The Boston Globe reported.

The winner, 26-year-old Nick Anderson of Melrose, won with the most cheers from the crowd — and made sure to let the crowd aware of his single dating status.

The crowd at Boston Common has declared Nick Anderson, 26, the winner of Sunday’s Tom Holland lookalike contest. pic.twitter.com/NpJ2l4vhpX
— juliana (@juli4n4yur1ko) November 24, 2024