I always thought that the epitome of masculinity was a rugged, manly man with a gorgeous smile and a deep baritone voice. But after reading numerous interviews with actor Robert Pattinson, I now know that there is more than one type of masculinity. The actor discusses the differences between himself and his character John Watson in the movie [The Lost Boys](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1760983/) in the video below.
Pattinson’s Own Words
In a candid interview with Women’s Wear Daily, the actor talks about some of the differences between himself and John Watson. In particular, he points out that he has a lot more in common with Barry White than John Watson:
“They were both very successful songwriters and composers in the ‘50s. I was also brought up on music; my dad was a singer, and my mom was a piano player. We were always listening to music or singing together as a family. There was never a time when I didn’t want to be a musician. It’s just that, as a young boy, I wasn’t given the opportunities that some of my friends were.”
Pattinson believes that he will eventually be typecast as a tragic figure because of his looks:
“It’s inevitable, as far as I can tell. Especially now that I’ve been in a couple of films that get compared to Shakespeare in Love. It’s like comparing apples to oranges, I know. But it’s the best comparison I can give. I would compare it to comparing a lion to a pussycat. No offense to cats.”
Despite what others think, Pattinson is not at all happy that his looks have made him an overnight sensation. In fact, the actor has an interesting theory about why people love to hate on celebrities:
“When you become a celebrity, people will always look at you in a different way. You’ll never be able to go back to being an ‘ordinary’ person. You’ll always be compared to what you were before you were famous, and that’s the rub. People don’t like being compared to others. Especially when it comes to celebrities. They want to be associated with someone unique. I think that’s why there’s such a focus on my looks and my image.”
Instead of letting his looks get in the way of his work, Pattinson is now taking advantage of his fame by acting in movies and educating people about gender identity and sexuality. In addition to being one of the leading men in the upcoming [The Lost Boys](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1760983/) film, he is also the executive producer of [David Bowie Is](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4831732/) and [Mullets](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118891/) along with director Marc Webb. He is also one of the main investors in [The King](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109727/) along with producers Brian Grazer and Deepika Padukone.
The Impact of Digital Technology
While some people may still prefer to meet and socialize with other adults, most of us now experience most of our social interactions via digital technology. Because of this, the way we relate to each other is changing. In addition to impacting how we interact with others, technology is also changing how we define masculinity and femininity.
In the 2020s, the way we consume media will further impact the way we define gender. As the population becomes more aware of gender issues, individuals are beginning to identify as non-binary genders or express aspects of both masculinity and femininity. In other words, we will see more individuals who don’t fit the conventional idea of what it means to be a man or a woman.
While many people don’t identify with or prefer to be referred to by the labels “boys’ clothing” or “girls’ clothing,” choosing what style of clothing to wear is a clear indicator of one’s gender. For instance, for men, a shirt with a collar and a tie can be a great way to express your masculinity. If you’re not sure how to dress like a man, check out these tips from the experts at fashionunited.com.
More Than One Type of Masculinity
Thanks to the 2020s digital revolution and the increased use of social media, people are beginning to see that there is more than one type of masculinity and that it isn’t limited to one model or stereotype. As a result, we are starting to see celebrities who aren’t necessarily masculine men but are respected members of their communities for their leadership, kind words, or ability to bring people together.
According to Out magazine, “there are numerous ways to be a’real man,’ and it’s usually quite flexible.” This is especially true when you consider that your identity is not limited to your appearance. In fact, just having a strong jaw and muscular arms does not make you a man.
In the next section, we’ll discuss the ways in which masculinity is changing and how celebrities are leading the change.
The Rise Of Ambiguous And Non-Binary Individuals
In the past, when someone didn’t fit the traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity, we would call them ‘queer.’ But in the present day, the umbrella term ‘LGBT’ covers a lot more than just sexual orientation. Most people who identify as LGBT, or “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender,” do not necessarily identify as primarily the gender they were born as. As a result, gender-related terms such as ‘he’ and ‘she’ may not apply, at least not in the way we’ve been taught to use them. Because of this, it is more accurate to refer to these individuals as ‘non-binary’ or ‘ambiguous.’
In the next few years, we will see more and more people who don’t fit the gender binary model. Celebrities like John Watson in The Lost Boys or Jack Oliver in Gingerbread, along with the protagonists of TV shows like [Barry](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3760341/) and [Krystal](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4172834/), are starting to break down traditional gender roles and expectations by being themselves and not conforming to whatever stereotype society has in mind when it comes to ‘men’ or ‘women.’
On the subject of masculinity, former tennis great Martina Navratilova recently told The Guardian that “there are many different ways to be a man” and that “traditional male behavior is something I no longer associate with my own father.” While this may be an extreme example, it shows that even the most well-known sports figures are now seeing an evolution in male attitudes and appearances.
Why Are Celebs Leading The Way?
In the previous section, we discussed how the media and digital technology are impacting how we define masculinity in the 21st century. Let’s take a look at why celebrities are leading the way in terms of evolving masculinity.
First of all, celebrities are typically in the forefront of any major trend, be it social or cultural. If people are going to talk about gender and how it’s different today than it was in the past, it’s likely that celebrities will be mentioned in the conversation.
Secondly, celebrities have more influence over younger generations than any other group. According to a recent Socialbakers survey, 13- to 24-year-olds are more influenced by and pay more attention to what celebrities have to say than any other group, followed by musicians and then parents.
Last but not least, celebrities have the money and power to make major changes if they want to. If you believe that fashion and style are a symbol of social status, it’s likely that many celebrities would like to change the way we perceive masculinity and femininity. If they can do that, they can make a difference.
It’s no secret that celebrities want to be liked and accepted just like anyone else. But at the same time, they have the means to make a difference and be heard.
What do you think? Are you seeing an evolution in masculinity and femininity?