vulnerability and masculinity | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Timothée Chalamet Is Redefining Masculinity And Fueling The Allure Of Vulnerability

One of Hollywood's newest heartthrobs shows us more than his acting chops - he shows us how to embrace the blurred lines and how to be truly human.

337
Timothée Chalamet Is Redefining Masculinity And Fueling The Allure Of Vulnerability

It is no secret that one of Hollywood's newest heartthrobs is Timothée Chalamet, a 6-foot tall glass of water. The 22-year-old actor from Manhattan graduated from the esteemed LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Breaking out in 2017 as the school crush of Saoirse Ronan's character in Lady Bird (2017), Timothée has continued to make a huge impact on the screen and in the hearts of his viewers, constantly drawing people in with his captivating vulnerable performances.

So, what is the allure that surrounds this smooth-talking, ground-breaking, curly hair-toting man?

His vulnerability and his quirky ambiguity.

In Chalamet's interview with Harry Styles for Vice's i-D Magazine, he and Styles discuss everything from Chalamet's roles to modern manhood. When speaking about the ability to be vulnerable, Chalamet, in conversation with Styles states:

"... it goes back to feeling comfortable in chaos and creating in madness. It's almost a high to be vulnerable. I really get that. I think it can be achieved in art, but also in intimacy. It's the craziest feeling to achieve that vulnerability. If us having this conversation, in any infinitesimal way, can help anyone, a guy, a girl, realise that being vulnerable is not a weakness, not a social barrier. It doesn't mean you're crazy or hyper emotional, you're just human, which I think is something your music gets at and hopefully my movies do too. Humans are complex; we need to feel a lot of things. We are not homogeneous."

Chalamet embraced the ability to break barriers emotionally, he finds strength in his ability to be open, to be emotional, and to connect to the deep, raw aspects of what makes each of us human, something extremely difficult for anyone to do, let alone a man in his early 20's in a society that tells men that they constantly have to be strong, protect, and hide their emotions.

Later discussing modern masculinity, Chalamet says:

"There isn't a specific notion, or jean size, or muscle shirt, or affectation, or eyebrow raise, or dissolution, or drug use that you have to take part in to be masculine. It's exciting. It's a brave new world. Maybe it's because of social media, maybe it's because of who the fuck knows what, but there's a real excitement from our generation about doing things in a new way… I would be really curious to see what you have to say about it?"

Again, Chalamet continues to break the mold society has set for him and men everywhere. Donning jewelry throughout the photos within the interview, Chalamet embraces this blurred lines between masculinity in femininity. As he continually hints at throughout the interview, who are we to define someone's experience, to define what it means to be a man? Why does it simply have to mean one thing?

In the media, we have begun to see more and more men who are prominent in the media's eye on the same page as Timothée. Harry Styles, the individual interviewing Chalamet throughout the article, is a perfect example of just this. He breaks the barriers between men and women's fashion and remains the equivalent to Timothée in terms of vulnerability in the music industry.

Both men embrace the ambiguity that has now begun to become commonplace in media and everyday life - the blurred lines between masculinity and femininity. He embraces what makes us all people, the raw, difficult to put to words, emotional reality of humanity. He is unapologetic for who he is and the openness he expresses. He does everything he works on with such a grace and honestly that it is constantly refreshing for those that stay up-to-date on his press. And yes, his striking green and hazel eyes help, but the reason that he remains so alluring is that he embraces every aspect of humanity, he blurs lines, he reminds us that the boundaries of gender perception are solely there because we put them there, and he is unapologetically vulnerable.

Although this piece sings his praises and his ability to embrace every facet of himself, it can't excuse the difficulty that many men have expressing their emotions, blurring the lines of what it means to be a man, and being openly vulnerable with those around them. We set these gender barriers for men, in addition to women, and it is time that if men desire, they are able to tear them down without being persecuted as not being masculine enough. There is no single correct answer to for what it means to be a man, and it is time we stop trying put men in boxes telling them that there is.

We can't define what it means to be a man, but we, as humans, can ALL work to embrace the qualities that are so desired in this young actor: vulnerability, openness, accepting, and change-making. THAT is the allure of Timothée Chalamet, his ability to remind us all what it means to be human.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

70619
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

4093
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8045
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments