Adore this Alanna! I know he's a fictional character, but Phil Dunphy was SO written for the female gaze. I often see memes of him next to the likes of Chris Hemsworth, saying "what women really want".
Similarly, Paul Mescal is the exact sort of man most hetero women are into. He cares about the world, he reads, he's got a bit of personality - I listened to his Louis Theroux interview and fell more and more in love with him as I listened.
Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland come to mind too. There's no denying they're both handsome, but their personalities make the difference between most women finding them "nice" vs actually enjoying their stage presence. I don't think anyone would have believed you in 2015 that Tom Holland would be engaged to Zendaya in ten years' time, yet now it's just so obvious.
Absolutely!! I think a lot of it ties into an ability not just to be vulnerable on screen, but to lean into that vulnerability in real life. Like the way Tom Holland is always so candid and casual about how much he’s into Zendaya (admitting he Google’s her etc). It actually has the opposite effect of being a “simp”, it comes across as really secure and desirable
I love that you mentioned Phil because I've been putting ideas together about what on-screen couples (mostly the husbands) I think are healthy/positive, and Phil Dunphy is my number one! A somewhat late to the game valentines post but I'm so glad others resonate and adore his character
I'm so glad Hollywood is finally opening their eyes to the notion that looks are not everything to women! I never found the overly conventional ones to be it for me personally (and in light of recent media, I'm glad I was never on the Ryan Reynolds train, but that's a different story). Male characters like Phil Dunphy, Jake Peralta, and Chandler Bing are just a few that come to mind!
Like you say, Alanna, it's for another newsletter, in regards to Gladiator II and having actors with veneers—I recently saw a TikTok about how those with lip fillers or other types of cosmetic work shouldn't be cast in period pieces because of the accuracy. Such a great read 🫶🏻
Yes!! I’ve seen those too. It’ll be quite an interesting topic to watch unfold, because - even though I’m not against people getting things done - I can’t deny that it does affect how I feel about a performance. Like if I’m watching someone play Julius Caesar or Anne Boleyn, I’m going to be thrown by a Botoxed forehead or laminated brows in the same way that I’d be thrown by a sleeve of tattoos (which they’d never let an actor keep for that kind of role) 🤔
I so agree! At the risk of overstating things, for the most part, men think women care about a conventional definition of "handsome." Women know the man inside the body is what gives the body its zest.
I loved this! I’d also throw in the entire cast of Rivals (especially in their 80s get ups) for both being written for the female gaze and for some perfectly imperfect teeth!
Adore this Alanna! I know he's a fictional character, but Phil Dunphy was SO written for the female gaze. I often see memes of him next to the likes of Chris Hemsworth, saying "what women really want".
Similarly, Paul Mescal is the exact sort of man most hetero women are into. He cares about the world, he reads, he's got a bit of personality - I listened to his Louis Theroux interview and fell more and more in love with him as I listened.
Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland come to mind too. There's no denying they're both handsome, but their personalities make the difference between most women finding them "nice" vs actually enjoying their stage presence. I don't think anyone would have believed you in 2015 that Tom Holland would be engaged to Zendaya in ten years' time, yet now it's just so obvious.
Absolutely!! I think a lot of it ties into an ability not just to be vulnerable on screen, but to lean into that vulnerability in real life. Like the way Tom Holland is always so candid and casual about how much he’s into Zendaya (admitting he Google’s her etc). It actually has the opposite effect of being a “simp”, it comes across as really secure and desirable
Yessss this is exactly it! Like to be secure enough in themselves.
I love that you mentioned Phil because I've been putting ideas together about what on-screen couples (mostly the husbands) I think are healthy/positive, and Phil Dunphy is my number one! A somewhat late to the game valentines post but I'm so glad others resonate and adore his character
Phil is the BLUEPRINT! Looking forward to the post <3
I'm so glad Hollywood is finally opening their eyes to the notion that looks are not everything to women! I never found the overly conventional ones to be it for me personally (and in light of recent media, I'm glad I was never on the Ryan Reynolds train, but that's a different story). Male characters like Phil Dunphy, Jake Peralta, and Chandler Bing are just a few that come to mind!
Like you say, Alanna, it's for another newsletter, in regards to Gladiator II and having actors with veneers—I recently saw a TikTok about how those with lip fillers or other types of cosmetic work shouldn't be cast in period pieces because of the accuracy. Such a great read 🫶🏻
Yes!! I’ve seen those too. It’ll be quite an interesting topic to watch unfold, because - even though I’m not against people getting things done - I can’t deny that it does affect how I feel about a performance. Like if I’m watching someone play Julius Caesar or Anne Boleyn, I’m going to be thrown by a Botoxed forehead or laminated brows in the same way that I’d be thrown by a sleeve of tattoos (which they’d never let an actor keep for that kind of role) 🤔
Love this analysis 🫶🏻
Thank you, Elaine! 💓💓
I so agree! At the risk of overstating things, for the most part, men think women care about a conventional definition of "handsome." Women know the man inside the body is what gives the body its zest.
Thanks Alanna!
I loved this! I’d also throw in the entire cast of Rivals (especially in their 80s get ups) for both being written for the female gaze and for some perfectly imperfect teeth!