As much as it may seem that the indie sleaze aesthetic should be the absolute winner when it comes to laying the foundation for the most desirable men of the year, tastes change as quickly as the fleeting change in men The fashion trends are dictated. Shortly after the uproar surrounding these ephemeral gentlemen came the time of Himbo men, those sturdy and handsome gentlemen whose muscles exceed their intellect (like Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift's boyfriend). The definitive proof that the new masculinity considered the most desirable in the media and social networks has more marketing than reality is People magazine's election of Patrick Dempsey as the sexiest man of the year. “Society tends to stick to what is familiar and comfortable. Such figures can be perceived as safe and close. Although there is talk of a new masculinity, there are people who still feel resistance to the unknown or the radically different. That’s why men usually conquer us with this elegance and preference for the classic,” psychologist Lara Ferreiro tells ICON.
The role of Patrick Dempsey in Grey's Anatomy earned him the number one spot among the most handsome men on television.
Back to the past
Faced with a choice that is as surprising (the actor has been out of the spotlight since his departure from “Grey's Anatomy”) and uninnovative (his Disney Prince appearance couldn't be more normative), we ask ourselves what makes a man… Year 2023 makes sexy, Erick Pescador Albiach, sociologist, sexologist and specialist in the development of care culture, is clear: exactly the same as in the past. “The standards and the traditional male male prototype have barely changed. If for a large portion of society (especially women) the values that support power and what a sexy man is don't change, then the prototype doesn't change either. In other words, if we don't change the value of what is masculine, what is attractive will be the same as always: square face with hard features symbolizing masculinity and strength, half-shaven or barely shaved (something that remains not to be). feminine), with a lost look. and a half-smile…in short, a slightly updated Humphrey Bogart, muscular and slightly more smiling,” he says.
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He points out that a sexy man in our time should, in theory, be a feminist man and therefore sensitive. A sensitive guy who cares about himself and the people around him, loyal, respectful, against abuse and violence… However, he believes that this is not sexy, as it is seen as the opposite of usual male values becomes. . “We would have to reinvent the sexy man so that he is not the dominator, just as we could see a strong and non-submissive woman as sexy (or at least we are on that path),” says Pescador.
Previously, personalities such as Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum and Michael B. Jordan have held this title. So it's clear that normative beauty and muscles are still more sensual than vulnerability and lanky silhouettes. This is despite 32% of respondents prioritizing emotional intimacy over physical intimacy for safety and understanding, according to Bumble's 2024 Dating Trends report. According to data from a study by the platform Ashley Madison, 5% of respondents were attracted to the person because of their intelligence, with the lover generally being more sophisticated than their spouse or partner. As if that wasn't enough, according to the dating website, 31% of women are attracted to interesting biographies.
It's not even the “trend” factor that influenced the actor's choice, because as we already pointed out, he seems to be living in the shadow of the “hot doctor” since his disappearance on “Grey's Anatomy.” As editor Julie Jordan explained to USA Today in 2012, when choosing the sexiest man of the year, the magazine looks at network and media commentary, as well as what the general public says about celebrity coverage throughout the year. “We also asked female celebrities who they would choose as the sexiest man in the world,” he explained. On the other hand, they consult focus groups and even ask the editorial team for their own opinion.
Michael B. Jordan, at the 2016 Oscars. Christopher Polk (Getty Images)
Beauty is inside…outside, of course.
Even as we strive to celebrate new masculinity and embrace a renewed sensibility, are magazines still afraid to increase these numbers? “That's very likely because they're looking for what attracts the largest audience. If a man like Patrick Dempsey gets a lot more attention than another, they will choose to put that type of man on the cover. The public rules! Mainstream magazines are mostly oriented towards commercial taste. If they know that certain beauty standards will be much more profitable, they will not hesitate to praise these more classic figures more,” explains Ferreiro.
In 2017, something more amazing than Dempsey's election happened: the magazine chose an ugly man. In reality, Blake Shelton is far from it, but social media has done its best to make a joke out of a canonically desirable man. We assume that comparing an “attractive” person to an Olympus god of Channing Tatum’s stature makes it inevitable that the poor country singer will become a monster in comparison under the networks’ cruel gaze… “In reality Magazines tend to be very cautious and put a lot of thought into topics that may cause controversy. Nobody wants to receive criticism! That's why fear sometimes causes us to make bad decisions. We know that gender stereotypes continue to prevail in much media, and this is nothing new. Despite evolution, deeply rooted stereotypes influence publishers’ decisions, whether we like it or not,” explains Ferreiro.
Brad Pitt, in the Wimbledon final, in July 2023. Adam Davy (PA Images/Getty Images)
Dan Wakeford, who was editor-in-chief of People from 2019 to 2022, assured that not only looks are taken into account when evaluating candidates. As an example, he cited Michael B. Jordan (we know: with those biceps, talking about a spectrum outside the rules is strange, to say the least), who was voted Sexiest of 2020 for his involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement and for the way she always fought for women's rights. Good old Wakeford forgot to mention his iron muscles and perfect features…
Lara Ferreiro points out that the physical is the first thing that catches our eye and what makes us judge what we think, even if we later get a good or bad impression. “Culture and media often share images of physical beauty ideals that are ubiquitous in social media, advertising and films. It's normal for the body to be the first thing we notice, but of course the body isn't everything. Sensitivity and a sense of humor are very charming skills,” he says. On this point, Erick Pescador Albiach has a different opinion. “In our imagination, physical standards weigh more and these are most often represented in love and sex scenes. A man can be funny and make you laugh, but he will be a good friend and not someone you take to bed or throw into his arms at the club. The ones who flirt and take home the queen of the party are Superman, Thor and the Twilight vampires,” he says. Even when magazines praise a physique that deviates slightly from the norm, the media allows for some disagreement as long as the men praised are muscular, maintain a certain degree of masculinity, and sooner or later flaunt their sexual prowess.
People magazine cover featuring Blake Shelton, who was voted Sexiest Man of the Year in 2017.
Ferreiro reinforces the idea that popular culture and media play a crucial role in shaping the perception of beauty. “Actors, models, musicians and youth idols shape the image of society. Therefore, trends in popular culture can radically change public preferences. Depending on the trends emerging in each era, we tend to follow a set of common tastes. Culture is constantly changing. Although change can sometimes be slow, diversity in the expression of masculinity and femininity has been recognized and that is a great step forward,” he emphasizes.
In reality, while we think Chalamet is sexy (perhaps the fact that he's dating Kylie Jenner makes us think he has an ace up his sleeve that we missed), thousands of people in 2021 petitioned After Anthony Fauci was voted the sexiest man in the world by People magazine (Brad Pitt was responsible for the role of the renowned epidemiologist in a Saturday Night Live skit), we continue to applaud the Disney princes with their perfect, chiseled teeth Facial features and herculean muscles. .
Timothée Chalamet in a Louis Vuitton suit. The actor represents the new masculinity beyond muscles and testosterone. Mike Coppola (Getty Images)
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