People Magazine’s infamous Sexiest Man Alive has once again claimed their victor for the 2024 season, John Krasinski.
Now, if you happen to be one of the few people who aren’t familiar with Krasinski, you will recognize him from his very successful run as Jim Halpert on The Office. His other very iconic roles include being opposite of his wife, Emily Blunt, in A Quiet Place, with whom he’s had a very long and loving 15-year relationship.
The sexiest man alive lore is deeply rooted in my personality. Tabloids played a really big part in my childhood. I can still hear my mom and grandma discussing who they would’ve liked to see being named the sexiest. I have been so indulgent in pop culture and magazines since I could read. It’s a strange connection you feel for a celebrity crush, one hot photo, and you’re a giddy school girl who’s obsessed.
We have learned as viewers, though, that we get an inch, and somewhere they take a mile. Sexiest Man Alive, a once lighthearted ego boost for most, has become an actual hot or not competition. The outpour of negativity that Krasinksi has received since being awarded this title is so disheartening. It’s even worse considering that he also wasn’t the first or second choice, according to a TikTok, posted by the Daily Mail.
The elites have their own society; of course, we see certain celebrities pushed by different brands or exposed in the media. But taste is not one dimensional, and tabloids have always been a way, in my opinion, to finally bridge that gap for society to feel important with interactive quizzes and comical paper fragrant samples. Different details like these in magazines gave purpose to the readers. I’ve kept every single page I’ve read that was significant to me, interviews from my favorite actors and pictures of Justin Bieber that I couldn’t print out on my own.
Unfortunately, for many of you, I must be honest. I think they draw the line at giving us power when it comes to this. I have to remind myself sometimes that it is perfectly healthy to root for your sexiest pick, but a full-fledged hate train for a randomized selection is borderline parasocial. At the end of the day, there are a select few people who do get this immense privilege of crowing the many attractive men like in the past.
With the spark of controversy with this year’s pick, I wonder if, personally, these men feel affected. Anyone with self-esteem would be hurt by cruel comments on the internet. Considering some of these men who have been crowned in the past with this honorable title might not even have social media, I’m sure their friends, family and children might see such crude conversations surrounding their loved ones.
Then again, is it a double standard to feel a little more sorry for men who receive this treatment compared to women?
I will conclude that (look it up if you dob’t know) Kraskini is a certified DILF. Halpert is by far one of the hottest characters to come from 2000s sitcoms. He’s got an incredible dad bod, and his wife is naturally gorgeous. Kraskini is winning at life. Do your research, learn the lore and you’ll get it; especially if some of you out there are crushing on cartoon characters.
Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theater performance major from Lafayette, La.
