The "Sexiest Man Alive"? Benny Blanco And The Media's War On Masculinity

Benny Blanco is giving advice on how to be a “sexy gentleman” in People’s annual "Sexiest Man Alive" issue. If that doesn’t make you do a double-take, I don’t know what will. The internet agrees, with reactions ranging from “How much did Selena pay for this?” to “Benny Blanco and ‘sexiest’ should never be in the same sentence.”

I’m sure Blanco has a sweet personality and treats Selena Gomez like a queen (at least, I hope so), but we can't deny how the media is using him as a poster boy for the subdued, soft, and uninspiring boyfriend.

Artist and writer @SalomeSibonex nailed it in a tweet: "Hate to be a hater, but I genuinely believe these things are designed to subvert the ideal of masculinity with a feminized, anti-hero archetype." Of course, she’s not just talking about Blanco but addressing the cultural current he’s riding. There is a visible shift in Hollywood's representation of men. Masculinity, which traditionally stands for strength, assertiveness, and purpose, is clearly being redefined.

“He's probably a nice person, but my ideal man doesn't project the image of a purposeless trust-fund son who performs the opposite of the Nietzschean ubermensch – not in control of the rough edges of his masculinity, but in denial of them,” @SalomeSibonex continued. “The poolside cocktails, the teddy bear and pajamas: art like this tries to convince women they desire metaphorically castrated men, safe not because they're good men, but because they're incapable of anything else.”

“This is why many women think they want a husband who feels more like our girlfriend, when they really want a warrior who reserves his soft side only for them. A culture like this sets women up for a long, hard process of realizing what they actually desire vs what they think they desire,” she added. “Mainstream messaging has just about reached the perfect opposite of embracing everything that is innate to human life.” 

Some argue that society is moving towards inclusivity and encouraging men to embrace vulnerability, which is fine on paper. But their version of vulnerability appears to be emasculating and performative rather than healthy masculinity. They believe that it means weakness, encouraging men to abandon their strength, and turning masculinity into something overly feminized.

We witnessed this when Harry Styles donned a dress on the cover of Vogue a few years ago. Candace Owen reacted reasonably, saying, “No society can survive without strong men.” 

The media and Hollywood have swung so far from the James Bonds and Henry Cavills that we’re constantly served men who look and act awkward rather than assertive, who give off performative “feminist” vibes as opposed to a man with strong values. We are at a point in time where someone like Andrew Tate, who packages toxic dominance as the “real thing,” thrives because he fills a gap the culture itself is creating. Young men see these caricatures and think, “Well, maybe this is what masculinity means.” 

A big part of the problem here is the way the media is redefining “sexy.” People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” was a spot for the handsome, the athletic, the effortlessly chivalrous. But today, average looks and goofy vibes are presented as the new ideal. The fact that someone like Jensen Ackles or Glenn Powell could lose out to “quirky Benny Blanco” in any parallel universe feels like a cultural downgrade. The rebranding of “sexy” to mean “safe and non-threatening” isn’t some progressive win.

Maybe I’m being too cynical and perhaps Benny Blanco is a wonderful guy – culturally speaking, this isn’t about him personally. It’s about the archetype he represents and the message that’s being pushed: that masculinity, at its best, should be weak, mediocre, and aloof. And if that were accurate, as Salome Sibonex suggested, women will just waste time sifting through what they think they desire versus what they truly want and need. Women need a masculine man who will allow them to naturally embrace their feminine side. It’s this balance of masculine and feminine, yin and yang, that creates a fulfilling and healthy relationship.

I know some people may roll their eyes and think it’s not a big deal for Hollywood to feminize men. However, I believe these subtle shifts influence society, normalizing the dilution of masculinity. As author Camille Paglia said, "When an educated culture routinely denigrates masculinity and manhood, then women will be perpetually stuck with boys, who have no incentive to mature or to honor their commitments." Paglia adds that without strong men as models for us to embrace, "women will never attain a centered and profound sense of themselves as women."

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