Strangers kiss after winning “Heated rivalry” lookalike contest, never expecting where it would lead (exclusive)
Felix Eller was just looking to have fun when he entered the 'Heated Rivalry' lookalike contest in Washington, D.C.
NEED TO KNOW
- Felix Eller and Aram Matagi’s kiss during a contest sparked a connection that quickly felt meaningful
- Eller admires Matagi’s creativity and adventurous approach to life, calling him a natural performer
- The pair’s conversations after the contest made Eller realize he didn’t want their time together to end
What started as a playful moment in a lookalike contest ended up sparking something real.
Felix Eller, a 24-year-old startup founder from Richmond, Va., was simply looking to have fun when he entered the Heated Rivalry lookalike contest in Washington, D.C. Invited by the event’s host and already planning to be in the city, he figured, “Why not?”
But as the night unfolded, the moment quickly took on a life of its own.
Midway through the competition, Eller — who entered as Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie — found himself face-to-face with fellow contestant Aram Matagi. What began as a playful rivalry soon shifted into something more charged.
After Matagi, who entered as Shane Hollandor, played by Hudson Williams, kissed another finalist, he turned back toward Eller, and Eller didn’t back down.
“I kind of put my arms out like ‘what’s your move gonna be?’ ” Eller recalls to PEOPLE exclusively. “No words were actually exchanged, but I had clearly given the green light.”
Seconds later, Matagi responded.
“He threw his paper, walked back to me, and we kissed,” Eller adds.
What could have been just another over-the-top moment in the contest didn’t feel that way to Eller.
“I think the kiss immediately felt special,” he says.
Still, it was what happened after that that lingered most.
As the two posed for photos with people eager to meet the contest’s “winners,” they found themselves talking in brief pauses between interruptions — quick, fragmented conversations that unexpectedly deepened their connection.
“It wasn’t until we were talking between people taking photos with us… that I realized I didn’t want the conversation to end.”
Since then, what started as a lighthearted moment has grown into something more meaningful.
Eller says he’s been especially drawn to Matagi’s outlook on life.
“I really admire Aram’s approach to and love of life,” he says. “It’s inspirational how intentional Aram is with his friendships and how he spends his time.”
Whatever comes next, he adds, the experience has already left an impression.
“I’m grateful to have met someone who lives their life to the fullest, is ready to try new things, and be adventurous.”
Matagi, an actor, has already given Eller a glimpse of that energy — from playing guitar to winning a dance battle, doing voices and accents and “dominating karaoke.”
To Eller, it all points to one thing.
“He’s a phenomenal and natural performer,” he says. “Some people are born to be on stage, and he is one of them.”
It’s that side of Matagi he’s most excited to keep discovering.
“I guess I’m excited to keep learning about his creative side, and hopefully see it on stage soon.”
While the pair haven’t yet watched the show that inspired the contest together, Eller says it could be in their future.
“I’m sure if we keep going on dates, it is a possibility.”
They’ve already had one unexpected crossover moment, though, meeting Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova at a recent PWHL game.
For now, what stands out most to Eller isn’t the viral kiss that brought them together — it’s what came after.
