A new selfie app has once again changed the lives of many; revealing secret truths and debunking family origin stories. Known as Gradient, the app was launched in September, and since then has been widely downloaded, and wildly lauded among members of the Twitter and Instagram communities, even being promoted by the most important people of our time — the Kardashians.
The app boasts “AI”-powered technology which recognizes unique facial features of celebrities to compare selfies of its users to the famous people they resemble.
While most users simply open the app out of temporary entertainment and curiosity, one Nebraska man has uncovered long-lost family through Gradient. Tim Sweden, 23, says that he was identified as a Tom Holland look-alike by the app. After initial feelings of flattery passed, Sweden realized they did indeed share similar facial features.
“From the youthful charisma to the chiseled jawline, I began to suspect there must be some relationship between us,” he said. “I even dressed up as Spider-Man when I was six.”
Upon a quick Google search, Sweden discovered that he was born at the same time and place as Holland: London on June 1. At this point, Sweden immediately phoned the hospital.
Hospital manager B. Leevet confirmed that the hospital had been swamped with babies on June 1, 1996, and mix ups were very possible.
“It is my regret to say we may not have been as meticulous as we normally are on that particular day,” Leevetsaid in an interview. “Unfortunately, we did have a record number of eight pairs of fraternal twins born at the same time, and we may have mistakenly redistributed to families.”
Sweden has a fraternal twin, but said he “never really felt a connection” to his brother.
As of current, Sweden is in the process of performing an online DNA test service, FindYourTwin.org. He has reached out to Holland’s public relations team but has not yet received a response.
“Hopefully I will be able to reunite with Tom one day. For now, I am just extremely grateful for the discovery Gradient has given me,” Sweden said. He hopes that it will help other people find their true roots.
