Beauty standards for both men and women continue to evolve most bizarrely as time passes. Recently, a new controversial trend has been going on on social media. It suggests new beauty standards for men in the entertainment industry. Some Hollywood male stars have had their facial features compared to animals.
Beauty standards for men have drastically changed over the last thirty years. Recently, a new trend on social media suggests unconventional beauty standards for men. This trend has sparked controversy online. While some find it insulting, others have embraced it.
Keanu Reeves at the MOCA Gala 2024 on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
From the older generation like George Clooney to the younger generation like Timothée Chalamet, here’s a list of the eight men considered “the sexiest” today according to the new trend.
Timothée Chalamet attends the “Wonka” Canadian Fan Screening on December 13, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. | Source: Getty Images
John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1988
In September 1988, the son of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy Jr., was crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive. His dear friend Steven M. Gillion later revealed that he regarded this title as a “badge of honor.”
A studio portrait of John F Kennedy Jr on June 9, 1988 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Then a 27-year-old Law student at New York University, Kennedy was not shy to show off his physique. According to Gillion, he spent much of his time in the gym building up his body. “He had all the physical attributes of a body builder,” said the pal.
John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy arrive at the annual John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner and Profiles in Courage awards on May 23, 1999 in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
Patrick Swayze in 1991
Although he was not part of show business, Kennedy competed with the likes of Hollywood hunk, Patrick Swayze. The actor earned the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.
Patrick Swayze pictured on August 1, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
His co-star Demi Moore once described him as a kind kind-hearted and gentle individual with a very “rugged, animalistic physique.” Meanwhile, another co-star, Kelly Lynch added, “He’s strong, but he has grace and agility. He’s not just this big thug throwing his muscles around out there.”
Patrick Swayze photographed on January 1, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
Apart from women, men also find the macho Texas native attractive. Director Roland Joffe said, “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.”
Patrick Swayze attends Stand Up To Cancer on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Keanu Reeves in 1994
Swayze was considered a heartthrob of the ’90s. He was not alone, as fellow actor Keanu Reeves also held the title for that decade. However, People magazine did not award a title in 1994. It wasn’t until years later that its editorial director, Jess Cagle, turned things around.
Keanu Reeves on the set of “A Walk in the Clouds,” 1994 | Source: Getty Images
In a Lifetime special “People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2015: 30 of Sexy,” Cagle awarded the action movie star with the coveted title of ’94 retroactively along with Hugh Grant and Jim Carrey.
Keanu Reeves at the “John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum” photocall on May 6, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
George Clooney in 1997
Three years after the official snub of the title, George Clooney was named the Sexiest Man Alive in 1997. The veteran star’s friends gushed about his good looks in his first cover.
George Clooney during 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 23, 1997 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
They also shared how loyal the two-time Academy Award winner is. His “ER” co-star, Laura Innes, said, “The rap on George is that he’s this rake, this guy’s guy. That’s true, but he is also a dear, loyal friend who would do anything for you. It’s almost like being a family member.”
George Clooney attends the Clooney Foundation For Justice’s “The Albies” on September 28, 2023 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Richard Gere in 1999
While Clooney was 36 when he received his title, Richard Gere was 50 when he was honored with the Sexiest Man Alive title in 1999. This led his former girlfriends to boast about how good-looking he was.
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Richard Gere places his hands and feet into cement on July 26, 1999 at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Designer Von Furstenberg was one of them and she admitted, “He walked like a biker, and that attracted me. I knew I was going to get my hands on him. I seduced him.” 
Richard Gere at Cannes Film Festival 2024 on May 18, 2024 in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
Pierce Brosnan in 2001
Pierce Brosnan, best known for his role in the “James Bond” movies, won the Sexiest Man Alive title in 2001. His co-star, Julianna Margulies, admired him for being a charming family man.
Pierce Brosnan during the 25th Annual Crystal Awards – Women in Film on June 8, 2001 in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
She expressed, “When you see a gorgeous man holding hands with his wife and holding his baby, there’s nothing more sexy in the world.”
Pierce Brosnan attends the UK premiere of “Black Adam,” 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The New Trend: Hot Rodent Boyfriends
Today, beauty standards for men have taken a peculiar turn. A new social media trend suggests that men whose facial features resemble those of animals are more attractive.
The latest one of them is the “Hot rodent boyfriend.” This term is used to describe men whose features are likened to rodents. Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager candidly discussed this trend on “Today with Hoda & Jenna” in June 2024.
It reportedly celebrates the “internet boyfriend” aesthetic. Kotb explained, “They’re svelte (with) angular features and bodies,” while Hager added, “Not necessarily conventionally handsome, which makes them even hotter.”
X users have embraced this trend. “Men are either eagle handsome, bear handsome, dog handsome, or reptilian handsome,” claimed one X user. “Stewart little if he was human and hot,” said another alongside images of actor Mike Faist who recently starred in the sports film, “Challengers.”
Someone else posted a collage of cartoon mice characters from the movies “Stewart Little” and “Ratatouillie” and wrote, “I’m sorry but they’re the guys from ‘Challengers,” referring to Faist and co-star Josh O’Connor.
Another stated, that the supposed “golden retriever” Travis Kelce type of boyfriends are no longer the standard. These men have been replaced by good-looking rodent boyfriends. “[…] We are now entering rat boy summer, if you look rodent like you’re in luck the girlies want you!” the user . Jeremy Allen White
Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jeremy Allen White has also been closely associated with the hot rodent boyfriend aesthetic by social media users.
Jeremy Allen White attends the Celebration of NYLON’s December/January Cover Star Lucy Hale on December 7, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
One penned, “Jeremy Allen White is one of the most handsome men I’ve seen.” Another echoed the same sentiments writing, “why is jeremy allen white genuinely the sexiest man i have ever seen. [sic]”
Jeremy Allen White attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Josh O’Connor
British actor Josh O’Connor is another star considered handsome under this trend. An X user posted a video of him and fellow English actor Kit Connor captioning, “Kit Connor and the sexiest man alive Josh O’Connor!”
Josh O’Connor attends a Gala performance of “Cabaret” on December 12, 2021 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Someone else concurred with the statement about O’Connor’s sexy looks while another online user expressed, “Josh O’Connor so handsome, wild.”
Josh O’Connor attends The RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2024 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Mike Faist
Mike Faist and O’Connor have been credited with the rise of the hot rodent boyfriend trend. One user , “The category is hot rodent boyfriends, and your opponents are Mike Faist, Josh O’ Connor and Matty Healy.”
Mike Faist at the closing night performance of “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway on September 18, 2022 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Another said, “Now u kno mike faist looks like the sexiest little gutter rat and thats why we love him in newsies and west side story. THATS MY STREET RAT AND I LOVE HIM. [sic]” While one gushed, “I fear that the Bikeriders mike is the sexiest he’s looked to me.”
Mike Faist attends the 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” on May 6, 2024 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Barry Keoghan
BAFTA Award-winning actor Barry Keoghan has also gained attention for his striking appearance. An X user named him as one of the sexiest men in the UK.
Barry Keoghan attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Another person echoed the same sentiments writing, “He can’t help but be the sexiest man alive,” while one penned, “‘It’s lucky for you I’m a vampire’ and Barry Keoghan becomes the sexiest man alive.”
Barry Keoghan attends Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood on March 6, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Timothée Chalamet
Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet is also considered a hunk. “Also sorry I think Timothé Chalamet is the sexiest man ever in ‘Dune,” said one person referencing his stint in the sci-fi film.
Timothee Chalamet attends the “Bones And All” red carpet at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2022 in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
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In addition to being called the sexiest, Chalamet has also been called “the cutest.” He was also praised for appearing in an ad. Another user expressed, “The new Timothee Chalamet ad for Chanel cologne is the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a hot minute. [sic]”
Timothée Chalamet attends the premiere of “Dune 2,” 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Adam Driver
Adam Driver, known for his role in “Harry Potter,” is also found desirable by social media users. One person stated, “Adam Driver as Snape is the sexiest thing you can say to me besides how much you want.”
Adam Driver during the 73rd Annual Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Day on May 1, 2019 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Another mentioned how the 40-year-old’s hair makes him stand out, writing, “Adam Driver with graying/white hair might be one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen too.” Meanwhile, one penned, “Adam Driver is the sexiest working actor and nothing will convince me otherwise.”
Adam Driver at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards on February 2, 2020 in London. | Source: Getty Images
Kieran Culkin
“Succession” alum Kieran Culkin is another actor in his early forties who has stolen viewers’ hearts with his charming looks. “Kieran Culkin is the sexiest person on television,” wrote an X user.
Kieran Culkin attends the Season 4 premiere of “Succession,” 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Another remarked, “Evil Kieran Culkin kinda sexy.” After seeing him on “Actors on Actors,” with Claire Danes, someone said the Golden Globe Award winner has suddenly become alluring.
Kieran Culkin at the AFI Awards on January 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Thom Yorke
Dubbed one of the greatest and most influential singers of his generation, Thom Yorke, according to X users, is not only musically talented but nice-looking, too.
Thom Yorke pictured at Luna theater on May 12, 1995 in Brussels, Belgium. | Source: Getty Images
One social media user , “Looking like Thom Yorke is the sexiest anyone could be.” One recalled the Radiohead vocalist being voted the “‘sexiest rocker’ back around 2000.”
Thom Yorke attends the premiere of “Motherless Brooklyn,” 2019 | Source: Getty Images
From the traditionally handsome Kennedy Jr. and Swayze to the unconventional “hot rodent boyfriends” like Faist and O’Connor, society’s perception of male attractiveness continues to change. As trends evolve, so do the faces of those who capture the public’s admiration.
