Benson Boone and the Era of Endearingly Vulnerable Men

Benson Boone, thank you. Thank you for that performance at the Grammys. Thank you for that perfectly tailored blue suit, the casually unbuttoned shirt with just the right amount of effortless charm, the voice that feels like it’s singing straight to our faces, and most of all, thank you for reminding us that being a man on stage no longer means posing like you’re on the cover of a French-named cologne.

And of course, thank you for the jumps. Because who said a ballad can’t include backflips and acrobatics? One moment, he’s pouring his heart into the song, and the next, he’s airborne like he just stepped out of a 2000s music video. But the best part? He doesn’t do it with an attitude of “Look at me, I’m incredible”—he does it with this playful, carefree energy, like someone who jumps just because, well… why not?

Real, vulnerable, and breaking all the rules—these guys are changing the game.

That’s exactly the essence of this new generation of men in entertainment: they’re handsome, talented, and charming, but they don’t feel the need to shove it in our faces. Sure, they know they’re desirable, but they carry it with an ease that we didn’t see before. They’re not afraid to show their bodies or be objects of desire, but they do it without the “You will fall for me” gaze of the past. This isn’t the hyper-masculine sex symbol from decades ago—it’s a guy who works out, takes care of himself, but doesn’t need to sell us the fantasy of the untouchable alpha male. In fact, they even talk about their workouts and diets openly, but without taking themselves too seriously. No solemn “My body is my temple”speeches—more like “Yeah, I exercise, but it’s not the end of the world if I have a burger now and then”(yes, I’m looking at you, Paul Mescal, with your ultra-short shorts and see-through shirts).

Look at Tom Holland—he could easily be the classic action hero, yet what we love most about him is his adorable awkwardness and the way he talks about his life without any pretension. He’s trained like crazy to be Spider-Man, but he doesn’t act like he’s superior to anyone. And when he danced to Umbrella on Lip Sync Battle, he did it fearlessly, without worrying about what people might say about his masculinity—he just did it because it was fun. Then there’s Paul Mescal, the man who single-handedly proved that you can be a symbol of male sensitivity with nothing but gym shorts and an existential crisis face. Or Shawn Mendes, who went from being the typical guitar guy to opening up about his anxiety and writing heartfelt letters to his fans about his struggles. Andrew Garfield, who not only cries in interviews but makes us cry with him. And of course, Jonathan Bailey (yes, the Bridgertonand Wicked guy), who has shown us that you can be seductive without looking like you were programmed to be a 90s rom-com heartthrob.

Then there’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who could have easily settled into the role of Hollywood’s next leading man, but instead, he has lived his life on his own terms—unbothered by what people say about his relationship with his wife, Sam, who, by the way, directed him in one of his films. And let’s not forget Harry Styles, who plays with fashion, music, and gender stereotypes, and who couldn’t care less if his partners are older or more successful than him.

And then there’s Pedro Pascal. Even though he’s older than the rest, he still fits perfectly into this new era of vulnerable, down-to-earth men. He has openly said he doesn’t see himself as sexy—even though the entire internet strongly disagrees—and he handles it with the most charming sense of humor. His charisma comes from his authenticity, his humility, and his ability to laugh at himself while still carrying an effortless elegance.

These men have rewritten the rules. They don’t just embrace vulnerability—they own it. They’re not afraid of being desired, but they’re also unafraid to be goofy, sensitive, or playful. They have no issue being with older, more powerful, or more successful women. And they don’t need to give us that intense, hypersexualized stare of the past—instead, they win us over just by being themselves.

So once again, Benson Boone, thank you. Thank you to you and to all these men who remind us that masculinity can be many things, that vulnerability is attractive, and that yes, you absolutely can throw in a backflip in the middle of an emotional performance—because, really, why not?