For the record: I love men.
But fellas, you don’t always make it easy. Whether it’s the leaders of local He-Man Woman-Haters Clubs running for office, to the rise of the so-called incel movement and lingering, outdated stereotypes that leaves Us women shouldering the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities while still pulling a 9 to 5, the sheer pervasiveness of toxic masculinity can make admiring you gentlemen, even from afar, difficult.
Thankfully, there is a new brand of masculinity sweeping Hollywood, offering men and the people who love them the antidote to the dude brah broseph culture that holds the straight men among Us back.
Take Travis Kelce — a 6’5’’, 250 pound mountain of a man playing arguably one of the world’s most violent, chest-thumping sports. One could be forgiven for assuming he simply sweeps women over his shoulder, carries them to the nearest kitchen and demands they make him a sandwich. Instead, he is offering men an example in true supportive partnership via his relationship with Taylor Swift. He is not afraid to pursue a woman vastly more popular and more successful, who makes and is worth way more money and therefore doesn’t “need” him but, instead, seems to simply want him.
The future Hall of Fame tight end doesn’t hesitate to admit that, yes, he cried when he proposed to Swift because, yes, he is an “emotional guy.” And he will gladly stand alongside the young teens and tweens armed to the teeth in friendship bracelets, loudly singing about Romeo and Juliet while the spotlight remains on his better half.
In a culture that has shamelessly worshiped men’s ability to remain stoic — unless they’re angry — Kelce is out here clicking his heels in a tuxedo while sharing a stage with his superstar fiancée, more than happy to admit that he is the lucky one and it is an honor to be Mr. Swift.
Then there’s Tom Holland, who, according to social media lore, seemingly made Zendaya fall in love with him by lip synching to the one and only Rihanna while wearing a wig, corset and fishnets. A literal Marvel superhero, Holland, like his football counterpart, reminds Us all that there are so many ways to express ourselves — ways that go beyond the confines of our preconceived notions of gender or sex.
In a world that says men need to be taller than the women they date, for example, Holland is here to remind Us all that it’s a “stupid assumption” and, instead, show men how attractive quiet confidence and steadfast self-assuredness is and always will be. Yes, even — and perhaps especially — in heels.
Of course, those of Us who hope men can acquire a level of emotional intellect that surpasses that of a gnat cannot help but stan Benny Blanco. In the wake of his engagement to Selena Gomez, Blanco shared some simple, yet sadly uncommon, realities of a healthy partnership.
“I think people’s biggest problem, especially men, are that we don’t listen all the time. We gotta listen. Just shut the f*** up and listen,” he said during a recent podcast appearance. “Listen to what they’re saying — a woman is going to tell you exactly what she needs.”
During the same interview, Blanco spoke about meeting his fiancée where she’s at, giving her space when she needs and, again, listening instead of trying to bulldoze his way through her life in the name of “fixing” things. The music producer’s advice is simple, and yet profound in that, despite conservative pearl-clutching, rarely are young men given real-life examples of this kind of tender, equitable romantic partnership.
TLDR? Gentlemen, there’s a reason why all three of the aforementioned men are engaged (and in Blanco’s case, now married!) to three of the smartest, hottest and most successful women on the face of the earth.
It’s why so many of Us teared up as we watched Katherine LaNasa’s husband, Grant Show, cry as his wife won a 2025 Emmy Award for her role on the hit HBO Max series, The Pitt. While his wife took the stage, Show — an actor in his own right — didn’t feel the need to hide his emotions in the wake of his partner’s success. It was a privilege, not a shot to the ego or a threat to his manhood, to watch his wife receive her well-deserved flowers.
“You have no idea how proud I am,” he said while walking the red carpet ahead of the ceremony. “I mean, just saying this is gonna make me cry. You know, I’ve watched her, and she works harder than anyone I know. I’ve watched her work and work and work and knock on the door and finally get recognized for what she has been doing for 35 years. It’s just a real joy.”
It’s refreshing to watch some of Hollywood’s leading, and supporting, men showcase this new brand of masculinity, whether it’s in a tux, a uniform or a superhero suit. It offers those of Us who love and are raising men some hope — hope that they can also find the courage to be their more vulnerable selves instead of blindly adhering to societal expectations.
Because, honestly, Us women are tired of holding up men’s fragile egos as they attempt to squeeze themselves into the stifling confines of what has historically been considered “masculine.” Those of Us who are looking for long-lasting partnership — romantically or otherwise — value equity, humility, softness and understanding. Thankfully, we’re now finding those traits proudly displayed among successful musicians, Super Bowl champion football players and high-flying Avengers.
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