A young boy’s Halloween costume has captured the internet’s attention, sparking outrage after he placed third in a school contest despite his jaw-dropping illusion. Thousands are now rallying online, claiming the boy should have taken first place for his incredible look—a mind-bending outfit that made it appear as though he was cut in half and holding his own torso.
The creative costume, showcased at Admira Moorer Middle School in Eufaula, Alabama, has left viewers scratching their heads. In photos that went viral, the boy seems to defy physics entirely. Instead of standing normally, he appears to be holding his legs in front of him, leaving onlookers genuinely baffled about how he pulled off the illusion.
One can only imagine the surprise his parents felt when he didn’t snag first place. Despite what many online believe to be a winning look, the school awarded him third place. The top two spots went to a student dressed as an old man and another as Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family. While the competition may have wrapped up last year, a recent resurgence of the photos on social media has reignited the debate over the contest’s results.
The internet quickly took to the boy’s defense, with Twitter users expressing disbelief. “Rigged popularity contest, biased judges,” one person commented. Another said, “He should’ve won.” Comments like “They did bro dirty” were common as others added their support for the boy, believing he deserved higher placement.
However, there is some context that might explain the unexpected results. According to Advance Local, an Alabama-based publication, the judging wasn’t solely based on costume creativity. Contestants were expected to perform a skit in addition to showing off their costumes, with points awarded for staying true to the event’s “Harvest Dance” theme and how well they engaged the audience. While the boy’s costume wowed everyone, it’s possible he was edged out by other students’ performances.
Despite the results, one mystery remains: how did he manage such an impressive optical illusion? Social media users are still wondering about his creative techniques, with one writing, “Can someone tell me the secret to this costume? I still can’t figure it out…” Another added, “How’s he doing this is the real question.”
For those curious about recreating the look, it’s actually simpler than it seems. Start by cutting two holes in the back of an oversized pair of pants where your knees would naturally go. Then, remove the back of a large shirt so that it hangs from your neck and shoulders, making it look as though you’re holding your legs. Reinforce the pants with cardboard at the waist and stuff them to give them shape. Finally, slip your real legs into the pants and slightly lean back—this creates the illusion that you’re missing your lower body.
The debate over this inventive costume continues to trend online, with viewers still holding firm that this young illusionist deserved top honors. For now, the internet remains the judge, and the verdict is clear—many believe he was robbed of first place.
