What is being a guy? How to define masculinity? There are many ways to think about it and some famous men show a different side of masculinity. Exit, toxic virility!
Pop culture loves men, “the real ones”. But if Hollywood, Elvis Presley or the phenomenon of boy bands, in the 90s, promoted a hegemonic masculinity (understand muscular and testosterone), a handful of famous men have overturned the codes. And no matter what we say! David Bowie was one of his male artists who questioned traditional representations of men. The androgynous-looking icon has shown that there are a thousand ways of looking at masculinities. In the same vein, the stage performances of Sir Elton John have become essential. In heels, dressed as Queen Elizabeth, flaming glasses on the nose or multicolored feathers on the back: we are far from the alpha male as we usually envision him.
The British artist is one of the male figures who have inspired those of today. David Bowie, he and many others, including gay artists and activists (how can we forget the flamboyant Freddie Mercury?) Have left a precious legacy for men, singers or actors, of the new generation. Today more than ever, they celebrate their masculinity in their own way, without fear of prejudice or falling into the boxes of stereotypical virility.
Lil Nas X, the new rap icon
Lil Nas X is one of those artists who break the codes of traditional rap. In June 2019, the young man, now 22, comes out on the occasion of Pride Month. Since then, we feel in the music and visual identity of the artist a desire to celebrate his own masculinity, not that governed by the rap industry. In March 2021, Lil Nas X reveals “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”, a song where he speaks bluntly about gay sex. The clip, meanwhile, mixes biblical references, Greek mythology and queer imagination. But our favorite is the music video of “Industry Baby” where, in a prison, the rapper dances sensually with his fellow inmates in pink outfits, making all toxic virility waltz.
Ncuti Gatwa, the star of “Sex Education”
Ncuti Gatwa is one of the many talents discovered in the hit Netflix series, Sex Education. The 26-year-old actor plays Eric, Otis’ best friend. Through his character, Ncuti Gatwa shows a masculinity that is good. Eric is gay, comes from a black immigrant family and likes to wear makeup. So many factors of discrimination, as the series shows, but also facets of his identity that he celebrates. Moreover, girl as boy, we would like to have his talent in makeup and we would copy her shiny looks without hesitation.
Read also : “Sex Education” on Netflix: 3 characters we can’t wait to find
Harry Styles breaks the codes after One Direction
Harry Styles started his career with One Direction. As much to say to you that all the virile stereotypes were of setting in this successful boy band. But when the singer, now 27, began his solo career, that all changed. A release for Harry Styles, very influenced by David Bowie in particular. Today, the star celebrates masculinity in a different way and causes a sensation by appearing with earrings or even in a dress on the cover of Vogue magazine, and even in a tutu on the American show. Saturday Night Live. An example of positive masculinity to follow!
Bilal Hassani lives his masculinity as he sees fit
Since his participation in Eurovision in 2019, Bilal Hassani has been the target of many detractors. His performance on the song “King” at Eurovision had shaken the codes. Dressed, made up and often wearing the most beautiful wigs, Bilal Hassani sends gender stereotypes waltzing, but also those that relate to North African masculinities. Considered the new face of his generation, he continues, against all odds, to live his identities as he sees fit. His participation in the show Dance with the stars, on TF1, goes in this direction since the singer is the first dancer to tread the dance floor with a male partner.
Read also : Bilal Hassani: “Maybe my partner will wear the wig at some point”
RuPaul: The One Who Made Drag Culture Mainstream
With his show RuPaul’s Drag Race, available on Netflix, RuPaul, drag queen and singer, made the culture accessible to the general public drag. In his show, launched confidentially in 2009 and become ultra-popular, we see drag queens all the more inspiring than the next, and for a few years, trans and / or non-binary artists. From now on, it is the participants in this contest who show, through their passion for drag, that being a man can mean as many things as one wishes. Toxic males in PLS!
Mélanie deciphers pop culture from a societal angle and questions the female gaze in films or even series, because everything is a question of gaze, she …