By Phoebe Piserchio, Staff Writer
If you’ve been keeping up with the media, you might’ve seen People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive”. If you haven’t, People Magazine has been releasing an annual issue where they give one lucky man the title of being the year’s “sexiest man alive.” However, it’s not so much luck as it is meeting a certain beauty standard that conforms to society’s stereotypical, heteronormative, cisgender ideas.
If you take a look at People Magazine’s previous “Sexiest Man Alive” winners, starting with the first winner Mel Gibson in 1985 to the newest winner Paul Rudd in 2021, around 85 percent of those chosen are white and cisgender. The entire list is highly influenced by the same blueprint of a male. The lack of representation adds to the criteria that perpetuate toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is based on stereotypical gender norms; some examples include the thought that men being “tough” means being violent and obnoxious, or that men should hide their emotions for fear it makes them weak. Different concepts like these can be reinforced when People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man alive” issue portrays “sexy” as white, cisgender, and typically strong, or muscular, men; the fact that the list is highly dominated by men described like this can tell people that they are better than those who don’t meet these certain “expectations”. Not only does it send the message that looks are all that matter, but it creates insecurities, specifically for those who are marginalized.
The issue is not with the men who have won, but rather with the men who haven’t. With little racial and ethnic diversity, it can set a self-image for people that your skin color is valued less than others. Not only this, but nearly all the winners have been Hollywood actors. No athletes, scientists, architects, or practically any other career (with the exception of a few musicians) have taken a spot on the list. This suggests that white, cisgender, Hollywood actors are superior to those who wish to pursue other careers. For instance, it can maintain the conventional stereotype that people who are scientists, engineers, and so forth are “nerds”, while actors are praised for their talent. Regardless, People Magazine continues to feature a majority of actors, despite the absence of various professions.
This isn’t the only article People Magazine releases that has an impact like this. They also have an issue called “World’s Most Beautiful.” Academy award-winning actress Julia Roberts alone has won the title more times than women of color have. The same negative effects as “Sexiest Man Alive” can be caused by these results; insecurities, false beauty standards, and low self-esteem. The overall problem is that the winners do not fully reflect the diversity of our society. Rather than getting rid of the issue, People Magazine has to consider how damaging it can be, and why. The only way to solve it is by recognizing the causes and effects that the history of this award has. Their goal needs to be to emphasize diversity, as well as acknowledge the perpetuation of beauty standards that people shouldn’t feel the need to meet.
