
OUTRAGEOUS OR FUNNY? A 25-Year-Old Black Woman Just Won a Benjamin Franklin Lookalike Contest
The person who won a Benjamin Franklin lookalike contest in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July was … a 25-year-old Black woman named Kiya Burgess.
Of course, she looks nothing like Benjamin Franklin. The guy standing next to her and cheering her on, though, bears an uncanny resemblance to the Founding Father.
The reactions divided into two camps: those who thought it was silly and those who thought it was all in good fun.
“Ridiculous, BUT it is Philadelphia where this s— is normal,” one social media user posted in a comment representative of the negative reaction.
“Can’t wait to win the MLK lookalike contest as a White man. We look exactly the same,” said another.
One commenter pointed out the obvious: “Last time I checked Benjamin Franklin was neither black nor a female …”
On the other side, one commenter noted that Burgess won because of her costume and attitude.
“Excellent costume, went all in on the hair, full of enthusiasm and patriotism. Looking at the competition behind her, she beat them hands down,” the commenter said.
Others said it was all about having fun.
“Come on guys,” one person said. “Not everything is about race. She looks adorable. Seems like a happy patriotic person plus she sews which is a dying art.”
“My hot take: This lady’s having a blast celebrating the 4th. Good for her. I hope she has fun!” said another.
Burgess told KYW that she did not expect to win but entered the contest because she loves cosplay.
“I love cosplay. I love dressing up,” she said. “I just wanted to come and show everyone, you know, what I made, because I like to sew, and you know, this is one of my first costumes.”
“I think it’s because of the wig — like the wig is very curly,” she added, saying in answer to a reporter’s question that maybe she won because she made the whole costume herself, including the wig.
“I don’t know, though. I was so unexpected; I was not expecting to win,” she confessed.