By Abigail Bender
University of Maryland’s Student Entertainment Events (SEE) hosted a lookalike contest for “Saturday Night Live” comedian Marcello Hernández on the McKeldin Mall steps last Friday.
Students dressed up in suits, backward hats and baggy jeans to resemble the comedian’s style and brand. The contestants were judged based on their outfits and personality for a chance to win an exclusive meet and greet with Hernández.
This event precedes SEE’s upcoming Homecoming comedy show, where Hernández is headlining.
SEE’s annual Homecoming comedy show is one of its largest events of the year, and its members are committed to promoting it.
Gabrielle Rowley, comedy director for SEE, said that the Hernández lookalike contest is the perfect way to promote the show.
“I really wanted to do a fun marketing thing for [the Homecoming comedy show], because I feel like Marcello was kind of a fun, younger talent to bring to campus,” Rowley said.
SEE’s homecoming shows have attracted UMD students for years. Maria House Ordonez, a senior computer science major and avid SNL viewer, was inspired to join the contest.
“I watch SNL. I love Marcello. I think he’s hilarious,” Ordonez said. “And I saw him at the homecoming show as an opener for Colin Jost my freshman year.”
Hernández is commonly known for his SNL skits, including his viral segments on “Weekend Update” and his starring role as “Domingo.”
Hernández’s comedy shows often include stories about his Cuban and Dominican background and being raised by immigrant parents.
Although she did not win, Ordonez thinks she earned the second-place title. Despite her nerves and pressure from her friends to join the competition, Ordonez enjoyed the contest.
“I think trying to embody Marcello was really fun,” Ordonez said.
Crowds of students gathered around the McKeldin Mall steps to watch and judge the competition.
The winner of the contest was decided based on the highest level of audience cheers. Aleksey Sanchez, a junior aerospace engineering major, dressed in a full suit with drawn-on facial hair and was chosen as the winner of the lookalike contest.
“He’s the one celebrity I tend to love and admire,” Sanchez said. “I’ve been told for so long that I look like him … I got a little bit of Latino in me too, so I am so excited to meet him.”
SEE’s Homecoming Comedy Show takes place this Sunday, Oct. 26, at UMD’s XFINITY Center. UMD student tickets are still selling for $15.
Featured Image: Marcello Hernández lookalike contestants compete for a chance to win a meet and greet with Hernádez himself, hosted by SEE. Photo by Abigail Bender.