New York City doesn't sleep, but this week it barely even blinked. Between a chaotic lookalike contest that actually drew the real star and a very public "are they or aren't they" reunion in SoHo, the city felt like one giant movie set. Honestly, if you walked through Washington Square Park or grabbed a late-night bite in Tribeca, you probably rubbed shoulders with someone whose face is currently on a billboard.
Let's be real: tracking celebrity sightings NYC this week is usually a game of "was that actually them or just a guy in a beanie?" This time, though, there was no mistaking the A-listers. From Rihanna's midnight strolls to a full-blown awards gala at Cipriani, the stars were out in a way that felt both curated and surprisingly messy.
The Timothée Chalamet Chaos in Washington Square Park
The biggest story wasn't a red carpet. It was a playground. On Friday, January 16, a "Timothée Chalamet Look-Alike Competition" turned from a niche internet joke into a massive security headache.
Hundreds of people—mostly in curly wigs and oversized sweaters—crowded into Washington Square Park. Then, the impossible happened. The actual Timothée Chalamet showed up.
He didn't just drive by; he hopped in for photos with his doppelgängers. Sporting a blue sweater, a baseball cap, and a very deliberate mustache, he blended in almost too well. It was hilarious until it wasn't. The NYPD eventually had to shut the whole thing down for lack of permits, forcing the "Timothées" to migrate to a nearby playground to finish the contest.
Jacob Elordi and Olivia Jade: Back on in SoHo?
If you follow the DeuxMoi breadcrumbs, you know the Jacob Elordi and Olivia Jade saga is exhausting. But Wednesday, January 14, provided some pretty hard evidence that the "it's over for good" rumors from last October might have been premature.
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The Frankenstein star and the influencer were spotted leaving their hotel together. At one point, Elordi was seen guiding her into a waiting car with a hand on her back. It wasn't exactly a red-carpet debut, but in the world of Manhattan paparazzi, a hotel exit together at mid-week is basically a press release.
Why does this matter? Because Elordi is currently the industry’s "it" guy. Fresh off a Critics' Choice win for his role as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, his every move is being dissected. Seeing him back with a long-term on-again, off-again flame suggests that despite the Hollywood glow-up, some things in his personal life are staying the same.
Saturday Night Fever: SNL After-Parties and Late Night Runs
Saturday night in NYC belongs to the SNL crowd, and this week's episode was a magnet for the music industry.
- Sabrina Carpenter made a surprise appearance on the January 17 show, but the real fashion show happened at the after-party. She was photographed in a $9,500 Valentino Garavani fur-trimmed coat and sky-high Louboutin platforms that looked impossible to walk in.
- A$AP Rocky and Rihanna were also out in full force. They were spotted together in Manhattan on both Friday and Saturday nights. Rihanna, per usual, turned the sidewalk into a runway, proving that even a casual "out and about" look in January requires a level of styling most of us can't fathom.
- Finn Wolfhard was also in the mix, fresh off his appearance on the show.
The National Board of Review Gala: A Classier Vibe
While the kids were at the lookalike contest, the veterans were at Cipriani 42nd Street. The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala on Tuesday, January 13, brought out a different tier of fame.
Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Blunt, and Michael B. Jordan were all in attendance. It was a heavy-hitting night for the "serious" actors. You had Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale doing their usual cool-couple thing, while Ryan Coogler and Benicio del Toro held court inside.
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If you were wondering why Midtown felt particularly crowded with black SUVs on Tuesday, this was why. Cipriani is basically the Fort Knox of celebrity events, but the arrivals and departures are always a goldmine for fans willing to brave the January chill.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: The Tribeca Lockdown
You can't talk about celebrity sightings NYC this week without mentioning the residents of Tribeca. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted heading to dinner following a fashion event earlier in the week.
There have been constant rumors about them redecorating her Tribeca mansion—some fans even claim they've seen delivery trucks moving "wedding-ready" furniture into the place. While we can't confirm the interior design choices, the couple was definitely seen enjoying the city's food scene, looking as solid as ever despite the constant tabloid noise.
Law & Order: SVU Is Still Taking Over the Streets
If you live in New York, a "celebrity sighting" often just means you're being told you can't walk down your own block because Mariska Hargitay is filming.
This week, the Law & Order: SVU crew was everywhere. Kelli Giddish and Kevin Kane were seen filming Uptown and in various Manhattan locations on January 16. It’s a reminder that while some stars come for the galas, others are just here for the 6:00 AM call times.
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Where to Look if You Want to See a Star Next Week
NYC is predictable if you know the patterns. If you're hunting for a sighting, you have to go where the privacy is high but the lighting is better.
The Polo Bar remains a fortress for the A-list. It’s where you go when you want to be seen by the right people, but not the wrong people. L’Avenue at Saks is another hotspot, especially for the fashion crowd during the day.
If you’re more into the "spotted at a dive bar" vibe, keep an eye on The Library or anything in the Lower East Side. That's where the Euphoria cast and the indie darlings tend to congregate when they want to pretend they aren't famous for five minutes.
Actionable Insights for Your Next NYC Trip:
- Follow the Call Sheets: Check local filming notices (the "no parking" signs) to see where shows like SVU or And Just Like That are set up.
- Timing is Everything: Most SNL sightings happen between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM on Sunday mornings near 30 Rock or at the designated after-party venue (often rotating).
- Respect the Space: If you see someone like Jacob Elordi or Rihanna, remember they are human. A quick nod is usually better received than a phone in the face.
The city is a stage, and this week, the performance was top-tier. Whether it’s a planned gala or a spontaneous lookalike riot, NYC remains the undisputed capital of the star-spotting world.