How Beauty Standards for Men Changed over 30 Years – These 8 Men Are Called ‘The Sexiest’ Now

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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 commented.

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.

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]”

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!”

Someone else concurred with the statement about O’Connor’s sexy looks while another online user expressed, “Josh O’Connor so handsome, wild.”

Mike Faist

Mike Faist and O’Connor have been credited with the rise of the hot rodent boyfriend trend. One user commented, “The category is hot rodent boyfriends, and your opponents are Mike Faist, Josh O’ Connor and Matty Healy.”

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.”

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.

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.”