Woman sparks controversy after winning Benjamin Franklin lookalike contest… as critics slam her ‘unrealistic’ appearance

A woman won a Benjamin Franklin lookalike contest over the Fourth of July weekend after spending three nights hand-crafting the costume; However, not everyone was happy with the result.

Kiya Burgess, 25, attended the competition held at Independence Mall in Philadelphia on Friday, wearing a homemade wig and a blazer.

More than 30 people paid $1 for admission, dressed in their historic best and braved the heat for the event.

The winner wore gray curls, round glasses, a handmade wig cap, white button-down shirt, tan vest and jacket.

A beaming Burgess received thunderous applause from the crowd when she was crowned the winner and raised her arms in joy.

However, the decision led some people to question why he won; She argued that her appearance was not correct because she was a black woman and the founding father was a white man.

‘Yes, it is very beautiful. It looks good, but if we’re looking for realism in the best representation here, this isn’t it,” one person wrote to X.

Another user said: ‘I could be wrong but shouldn’t a costume contest be judged on how similar the original person/thing is in its entirety?

“No way in the world would anyone win a contest looking like a white man,” wrote one user X.

The winner wore his own handmade costume, but the decision to crown Burgess the champion caused some people to question why he won.

Others joined the winner’s defense, calling him a patriot celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

‘It’s not that serious. Good for him. One user X wrote: He looks like he’s having fun and loving America.

‘A creative, talented, passionate American won? Beautiful,’ said another.

‘This is a trivial thing, in today’s society I’m glad he was happy to participate, showing his love for his country. You go girl!’ Another described the hate he received.

Burgess wowed CNN reporters after explaining how her costume was actually made as a cosplay for the Broadway musical Hamilton.

“I saw how much it cost on Amazon and I said, ‘I can do this,'” Burgess told the outlet.

‘So I went to the fabric store and spent almost three nights doing all this. “As if the only thing I didn’t do was this shirt I was thrifting,” he added.

Many users on social media argued that her appearance was not correct because she was a black woman.

Contestants gather during a Ben Franklin lookalike contest near Independence Hall

A contestant holding a kite makes her presentation during a costume contest

More than 30 people paid a $1 entry fee to enter the lookalike contest on Friday evening.

Billy Penn said Elena Jackendoff, who lives in West Philadelphia, organized the event, calling it a “democratic contest.” reported.

“This is the democratic contest Ben would want,” Jackendoff said through the megaphone.

‘Philadelphia is truly a special place and we deserve to celebrate despite all the terrible things going on,’ he added.