How Beauty Standards for Men Changed over 30 Years – These 8 Men Are Called ‘The Sexiest’ Now
As time goes on, beauty standards for both men and women continue to change in the most odd ways.
On social media, a recent contentious trend has emerged. It implies new ideals of attractiveness for guys working in the entertainment sector.
Some male celebrities in Hollywood have had their facial features likened to those of animals.
Over the past thirty years, there has been a significant shift in the standards of beauty for men. Unconventional beauty criteria for guys have been suggested by a recent social media trend.
Online debate has been triggered by this trend. Some people have accepted it, while others find it offensive.
Here is a list of the eight guys who are currently regarded as “the sexiest” based on the latest trend, ranging from the younger generation like Timothée Chalamet to the older generation like George Clooney.
In 1988, John F. Kennedy Jr.
The 35th President of the United States’ son, John F. Kennedy Jr., won the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive in September 1988.
Later, his close friend Steven M. Gillion disclosed that he considered this designation to be a “badge of honor.”
Kennedy was not afraid to flaunt his body while he was a 27-year-old law student at New York University. Gillion claims that he spent a lot of time strengthening his body in the gym. “He had all the physical attributes of a body builder,” stated the friend.
In 1991, Patrick Swayze
Kennedy battled with Hollywood hotties like Patrick Swayze while not being in the entertainment industry. In 1991, the actor won the title of Sexiest Man Alive.
Demi Moore, his co-star, reportedly called him a lovely, compassionate man with a “rugged, animalistic physique.” Kelly Lynch, another co-star, continued, “He’s strong, but he has grace and agility.” He’s more than just a large thug flexing his muscles.
The manly Texas native is attractive to men as well as women. Director Roland Joffe stated, “He has the sexiness of a person who is from the tip of the toenail to the top of the head involved in all the passions and fires and energies and fears that life throws up.”
In 1994, Keanu Reeves
In the 1990s, Swayze was regarded as a heartthrob. During that decade, fellow actor Keanu Reeves also held the title, so he wasn’t alone.
But in 1994, no title was given out by People magazine. Its editorial director, Jess Cagle, didn’t make a change until years later.
In the Lifetime special “People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2015: 30 of Sexy,” Cagle, along with Hugh Grant and Jim Carrey, gave the action movie star the coveted title of ’94 retrospectively.
In 1997, George Clooney
George Clooney won the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 1997, three years after it was officially rejected. In his debut cover, the experienced star’s friends raved about how attractive he was.
They also discussed the two-time Academy Award winner’s loyalty. “The rap on George is that he’s this rake, this guy’s guy,” stated Laura Innes, his co-star from “ER.” That is accurate, but he is also a devoted friend who will stop at nothing to support you. It’s comparable to having family.
In 1999, Richard Gere
Richard Gere was 50 years old when he was named the Sexiest Man Alive in 1999, whilst Clooney was 36 at the time. As a result, his ex-girlfriends bragged about how attractive he was.
Among them was designer Von Furstenberg, who acknowledged, “I was drawn to his biker-like gait. I was certain that I would catch up to him. I enticed him.
In 2001, Pierce Brosnan
In 2001, Pierce Brosnan—best known for his part in the “James Bond” films—won the title of Sexiest Man Alive. Julianna Margulies, his co-star, thought he was a nice family man.
She said, “When you see a gorgeous man holding hands with his wife and holding his baby, there’s nothing more sexy in the world.”
Hot Rodent Boyfriends: The New Trend
Male beauty standards have taken an odd turn in the modern era. According to a recent social media trend, guys with animal-like facial traits are more attractive.
The most recent of these is the “Hot rodent boyfriend.” Men with rodent-like traits are referred to by this phrase. On “Today with Hoda & Jenna” in June 2024, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager openly acknowledged this issue.
The “internet boyfriend” look is allegedly celebrated. “They’re svelte (with) angular features and bodies,” Kotb clarified, and Hager continued, “Not necessarily conventionally handsome, which makes them even hotter.”
This trend has been accepted by X users. “Men are either eagle handsome, bear handsome, dog handsome, or reptilian handsome,” claimed one X user.
“Another remarked, “Stewart little if he was human and hot,” next to pictures of actor Mike Faist, who most recently starred in the sports movie “Challengers.”
Another person shared a collage of animated mouse characters from the films “Stewart Little” and “Ratatouillie” along with the comment, “I’m sorry but they’re the guys from ‘Challengers,” which was a reference to Josh O’Connor and Faist.
“Golden retriever” partners like Travis Kelce are no longer the norm, according to another. These men have been replaced by attractive rodent boyfriends. “[…] We are now entering rat boy summer, if you look rodent like you’re in luck the girlies want you!” the user commented.
White, Jeremy Allen
Social media users have also strongly linked the sexy rodent boyfriend image to Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jeremy Allen White.
One penned, “Jeremy Allen White is one of the most handsome men I’ve seen.” “Why is Jeremy Allen White genuinely the sexiest man I have ever seen. [sic]” was written by another who shared similar thoughts.
O’Connor, Josh
Josh O’Connor, a British actor, is another celebrity who fits this pattern of being attractive.
“Kit Connor and the sexiest man alive Josh O’Connor!” was the caption for a video that an X user shared of him and fellow English actor Kit Connor.
Another internet user commented, “Josh O’Connor so handsome, wild.” Another person agreed with the statement regarding O’Connor’s attractive appearance.
Mike Faist
The emergence of the sexy rodent boyfriend trend has been attributed to Mike Faist and O’Connor. One user commented, “The category is hot rodent boyfriends, and your opponents are Mike Faist, Josh O’ Connor and Matty Healy.”
“Now you know, Mike Faist looks like the sexiest little gutter rat and that’s why we love him in Newsies and West Side Story,” remarked another.
I adore that street rat of mine. One exclaimed, “I fear that the Bikeriders mike is the sexiest he’s looked to me.”
Keoghan, Barry
Barry Keoghan, a BAFTA Award-winning actor, has also drawn notice for his eye-catching appearance. He was listed as one of the UK’s hottest guys by an X user.
Someone else wrote, “He can’t help but be the sexiest man alive,” and someone else wrote, “It’s lucky for you I’m a vampire’ and Barry Keoghan becomes the sexiest man alive.”
Chalamet Timothée
Timothée Chalamet, an Oscar nominee, is likewise seen as attractive. One reader commented, “I’m sorry, but I think Timothé Chalamet is the sexiest man ever in ‘Dune,'” alluding to his role in the science fiction movie.
Chalamet has received appreciation for his appearance in an advertisement and has been dubbed “the cutest” in addition to the sexiest.
“The new Timothee Chalamet advertisement for Chanel cologne is the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a hot minute,” said another person. [sic]
Driver, Adam
Social media users also think Adam Driver, who starred in “Harry Potter,” is attractive. Someone said, “Adam Driver as Snape is the sexiest thing you can say to me besides how much you want.”
The 40-year-old stands out due to his hair, according to another, who said, “Adam Driver with graying/white hair might be one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen too.”
One person wrote, “Adam Driver is the sexiest working actor and nothing will convince me otherwise.”
Kieran CulkinAnother actor in his early forties who has captured the hearts of viewers with his endearing appearance is Kieran Culkin, a former cast member of “Succession.” “Kieran Culkin is the sexiest person on television,” an X user commented.
Someone else said, “Evil Kieran Culkin kinda sexy.” Someone claimed that the Golden Globe Award winner has suddenly turned attractive after seeing him on “Actors on Actors,” alongside Claire Danes.
Yorke Thom
X people claim that Thom Yorke is not only musically gifted but also attractive, making him one of the greatest and most influential singers of his generation.
“Looking like Thom Yorke is the sexiest anyone could be,” a social media user wrote. The singer of Radiohead was named the “sexiest rocker’ back around 2000,” according to one.
The way society views male appearance is constantly evolving, from the conventionally gorgeous Kennedy Jr. and Swayze to the unorthodox “hot rodent boyfriends” like Faist and O’Connor.
The faces of those who are admired by the public change along with trends.
