A woman won a Benjamin Franklin lookalike contest on July 4 weekend after spending three nights crafting the costume by hand – but not everyone was pleased with the outcome.

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

More than 30 people paid $1 to enter, dressing in their historic best and braving the heat for the event. 

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

Beaming Burgess received huge cheers from the crowd as she was crowned the winner and raised her arms in glee.  

But the decision prompted some people to question why she won – arguing her look wasn’t accurate because she is a black woman, and the founding father was a white man. 

‘Yeah she’s pretty. She looks good, but I mean if we’re going for realism here in the best representation, this is not it,’ one person wrote on X.

Another user said: ‘I could be wrong but isn’t a costume contest supposed to be judged based on how similar it is to the original person/thing in totality?

‘In no world does she win a look-a-like contest for a white man,’ one X user wrote.

Kiya Burgess of Philadelphia celebrates after winning the Ben Franklin lookalike

The winner donned her own handmade costume, but the decision to crown Burgess the champion has prompted some people to question why she won

Others came to the winner’s defense, calling her a patriot who was simply celebrating America’s 250th birthday. 

‘It’s not that serious. Good for her. She’s having fun and seems to love America,’ one X user posted.

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

‘This is petty, in today’s society I’m glad she’s happy to participate, shows love of country. You go girl!’ Another said of the hate she received.

‘I saw how much it cost on Amazon and I’m like, I can make that,’ Burgess told the outlet.

‘So I went to the fabric store and I spent like three all-nighters making this entire thing.  Like the only thing I didn’t make was this shirt that I thrifted,’ she added. 

Many users on social media argued her look wasn’t accurate because she is a black woman

Contestants gather during a Ben Franklin lookalike contest near Independence Hall

A contestant holding a kite makes their pitch during the costume contest

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

West Philadelphia resident Elena Jackendoff organized the event, calling it a ‘democratic competition,’ Billy Penn reported.

‘This is a democratic competition, just like Ben would have wanted it,’ Jackendoff said through the megaphone.

‘Philadelphia is really special, and we deserve to celebrate, even with all of the terrible things going on,’ she added.