Last week Salon put up a list of the sexiest men alive and boyyyy they sure were sexy! The list included some hotties including, Kal Penn, Robert Downy Jr., Van Jones and even our favorite, Ill Doctrine. I had no choice but to tease Jay about his sexy status, but realized as I was joking that when I get written about as sexy on other people's blogs it is usually in a "get back in the kitchen-shut up bitch-you are hot" kind of way which is far from flattering.
So this morning I was reading through the HuffPo and came across the world's sexist woman alive. Here is the list as decided by E!
1. Karolina Kurkova 2. Bar Rafaeli 3. Angelina Jolie 4. Gisele Bundchen 5. Scarlett Johansson 6. Adriana Lima 7. Heidi Klum 8. Penelope Cruz 9. Manuela Arcuri 10. Shakira
OK, obviously one main difference is that one of these lists is via E! and the other via Salon. But there are never lists of women that are considered sexy because of what they do, but always for how they look, in either outlet type. The list of sexy men was extremely diverse and picked from an array of men doing different types of work. Salon is cool and progressive like that. So these men are not only sexy, but they do different, unique and innovative things that make them sexy.
However, women are only sexy if their physical sexiness fits into standard definitions of thinness and beauty and that factor outweighs the work they do.
Get my point? So I am happy to see lists of sexy men that try and shift our gaze to view men that do great work as sexy, but it is rare that those lists are based on just their sexiness. It is generally based on what they do, giving what they do more merit than their sexiness. If you are a woman that is sexy because of the work you do, you are rarely, if ever, put on a list of sexy women. You must first and foremost, look hot in a bikini.
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Perhaps you're not fully acknowledging Shakira's groundbreaking work in quantum physics.
I think it would be more appropriate to compare the E! list to People's list of sexiest men. The People list is equally as shallow.
Salon is coming from a different angle altogether.
It would be nice if Salon did a list of sexiest women though.
norbizness, don't brush Shakira off so quickly! She may be beautiful and she may like to shake her booty, but she's a great role model, incredibly smart, and very talented. I love her!
I spent a good fifteen minutes writing this e-mail and five seconds sending it before realizing it probably isn't worth the trouble.
To Whom It May Concern:
Although I do not happen upon Salon.com particularly often, I did find myself browsing through its various webpages today. I quite enjoyed the much of what I saw, including the 17 Sexiest Men Living list as its primary focus is on men's various social, political, or media-related accomplishments as opposed to their conventional good looks alone; it doesn't hurt that much of the list is made up of people who break the typical man's man-hetero-white-guy mold. The only thing I can think to suggest is that in the future, the list not contain a "Latin Lover" category; aside from the fact Javier Bardem is Spanish, not Latin-American, the ever prevalent stereotype that men of Latin-American descent are perpetually horny women-pleasing sexy beasts is just that: an ever prevalent stereotype with no need to be reinforced, but rather, abolished.
I'm not writing purely to sing praises and offer small critiques, however. I would like to suggest that Salon feature a list of the sexiest women living, with the same standards and goals as its current male counterpart. It is my understanding that Salon has yet to feature a list of sexy women, and I think that if such a large and influential website were to publish a list of women named as attractive for "smart [women], [women] of brains and brawn, art and athleticism," other media forms may follow suit, leading, perhaps, to a revolution. If not that, it could and would at least inspire women of most ages, teaching them that beauty goes beyond skin and bone and into the heart and soul.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
BurnTheVegan (though obviously I used my real first name)
Two bones I have to pick with the Salon list: referring to Jay Z as someone that "every woman wants to bang" (speak for yourselves, Salon!) and calling Javier Bardem the Latin lover. As a Hispanic woman, that stereotype REALLY irks me. Goes right along with calling Latin women "feisty" or "spicy". Puke.
I also have no desire to bang Jay-Z
I want to bang Jay Z. He's talented (srsly, one of my favorite rappers), intelligent, and a fantastic business man. That's hot.
BurnTheVegan, I was going to add that the "Latin lover" stereotype had been incorrectly applied to Javier Bardem, since he is from Europe, not Latin America, but thought nah...nobody will even "get" that...I'm glad you pointed it out and I'm glad that stupid "Latin lover" stereotype annoyed someone other than me!
Not to bone pick, but "Latin Lover" has been used as a derogatory (depending whom you ask) stereotype for males from countries of southern Europe as well, including Italians, Frenchmen and Spaniards. Ever heard of Don Juan (aka Don Giovanni in Italian)? Or Giacomo Girolamo Casanova?
Regardless of what men "Latin Lover" has been used to describe, when it's used for men who are not of Latin American descent...it's incorrect. And it's just a nasty racial stereotype.
just a note... you are wrong. the phrase "Latin Lover" originally meant those of Latin Desent - those who had ROMAN ancesters. who spoke a latin-based language like frech or itialian or spanish.
NOT Latin America, which was not something that was even in USE when the phrase "Latin Lover" started. i mean, given the epitimology, it is actually debatable if it started in the 1300's or the 1400's - but it almost definitly became a phrase used BEFORE Columbus set sail. so before south america was discovered by Europe. so WELL before there was a "Latin America" (which didn't happen really until after 1600)
Okay, seriously, just because some people in the U.S. mistakenly use "Latin" as shorthand for "from South America or Mexico" does not mean that is what the word actually means. To try to say that someone from Latin Europe isn't Latin is just ridiculous.
Regardless, the fact remains that the hot Latin lover stereotype is offensive, and a small error hardly diminishes the point of my statement.
I'm sorry but that is nonsense. "Latin Lovers" is also a term used in Europe - which is where the latin speaking countries started :) Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. Both terms are European just like the languages: the LATIN languages that derive from latin which is what they spoke in Europe a few centuries ago. No offence to the Spanish speaking people of the Americas and surely they know that the Spanish and their language came from Europe. Just like American English comes from... England and we can therefore talk about the English language(s) referring both to what is spoken in the US and in England. It would NOT be wrong to talk about English speakers who are not from the US - it could also be done in Africa or Hong-Kong.
It's a horrible term though. Even though it's originally European (like so much else that's horrible) and also when used about Julio Eglesias and other latin Europeans.
The term is horrible but it's wrong to say that the offence is in using it about non-americans when that has nothing to do with the words origin or meaning. Most of the same stereotypes about Latin Americans are also used about South Europeans. It's like saying that WASP don't exist in England because the word is used in the US too.
Aren't we just as well equipped to put together a list of the sexiest women alive as Salon.com or E!? I nominate Sarah Haskins and Rachel Maddow to start it off.
Excellent idea! I second both Maddow and Haskins, and I think I'd also add Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Gloria Steinem. Salma Hayek is pretty badass, too.
I'd also like to submit Michelle Yeoh. She kicks a ton of ass.
Admittedly, the guys list is one of majorly accomplished dudes, but they're not exactly schlubs, either.
I agree with most of the post. However, I wanted to say something about this:
"However, women are only sexy if their physical sexiness fits into standard definitions of thinness and beauty"
I find myself having to make this point again and again, especially in feminist circles, and that's a bit frustrating. BUT, the ideal body is not "thin" per se. I realize "thinness" is in a sense used as a shorthand for the popular body. But the popular body (as represented even by the women on this "sexiest women" list), is much more about having a small (bone) frame, a small waist, and curves, than about just being thin. Thin women without boobs and booty do not get much lovin' in our culture either -in fact we are frequently derided as being boyish or manly. And the specifications for being a professional glamour model include that you don't look too bony -i.e. you have a small to medium frame, and have to have enough meat to cover that frame.
So there. So my point is just that I am tired of "thinness" being used as shorthand for conventional beauty standards, because I think it's inaccurate, and causes us naturally thin women to get shit both from some women who are jealous, and plenty of men who think we're unattractive.
I agree with your statement, but I'd like to clarify that you're referring to the popular perception created by advertising. I've found that most of my friends like a much wider variety of body types that just "meek, helpless, big boob girl," but because it isn't 'the standard' they're too embarrassed to admit they like women who are thicker or taller or more muscular or less buxom than the barbie doll archetype.
I'm just frustrated that when I do find a women who isn't emaciated, they're usually conviced that they're fat, and even though I share responsibility for perpetuating this standard as a man, there's nothing I can say to convince them otherwise : /
Here:
http://www.afterellen.com/people/2007/6/hotlist?page=0%2C0
I think the feministing crowd will find this to be a much more satisfying list of sexy women. Of course, it had to be picked by lesbians *sigh*...
I second Rachel Maddow and Sarah Haskins. I would add Tori Amos, Arundhati Roy and Nicole Salazar.
I'm glad to see Robert Downey, Jr., but I can't believe Stephen Colbert was missing. ???
@BurnTheVegan, GottaBeMe
1) If Javier Bardem is Spanish then he can be described as "Latin". Latin was the language of ancient Rome, and the languages derived from it (French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese) and the peoples who speak those languages are often described as Latin (hence Latin America).
2) The phrase "Latin Lover" originates with Rudoph Valentino (an Italian) who was a very popular romantic lead in the silent films of the 1920s.
I have just started reading your blog. I don't know what you look like. That is not the point. I think you are hot because you are intelligent and articulate. Hell most of the commentators here fit that description. Since I am not constrained by appearance and am more interested in what's inside the vessel than the vessel itself My friends are all beautiful and I would not trade one moment with them for a week with anyone on that list.
I don't see the point in comparing a list of sexiest women done by men to a list of sexiest women done by women.
A list of sexiest men done by men would:
A) Not exist
B) Celebrate hypermasculine macho men and action heroes.
Sexiness to men is a superficial quality, regardless of the people involved.
The masculine view of sexiness is entirely different from the feminine one, why don't more women get that? This is a big piece of the illusion that men are sexually complicated, which, even if they are in reality, I've never met a man who experienced himself as sexually complex and multifacted the way women do.
Innacurate.
The way MOST men view sexiness may differ from the way MOST women view sexiness, but there is nothing "inherent" about men or women that dictates how they must view the opposite sex. Heck, I have male friends who like women with personality. So what is wrong with promoting the idea that men should take things like personality and intelligence into account when deciding how to value women? If some men are incapable of it, others certainly are not...
"The masculine view of sexiness is entirely different from the feminine one, why don't more women get that? This is a big piece of the illusion that men are sexually complicated, which, even if they are in reality, I've never met a man who experienced himself as sexually complex and multifacted the way women do."
Ok, so I agree that sexiness means different things to men and women in general. Or put another way, men and women put different weight on different traits depending on different situations. Wow, it already sounds messy.
But I think the bigger illusion is that men sometimes think that they are NOT sexually complicated, when in fact they are. I hear a lot of talk about men being these straightforward, logical creatures even when we speak of male sexuality, whereas women are supposedly more complex (often code for using our emotions more).
Yet above you alluded to that male complexity: i.e., that men are sometimes embarrassed to admit that they find sexiness outside of the dominant paradigm. I'm sure there is a strong element of peer pressure and competition mixed in with this.
This is just one example of how men's emotional side is often discounted in favor of promulgating wildly exaggerated theories about how most guys are primarily acting off a hardwired attraction to fixed ratios or hair and skin tone.
The reason why women don't get "whatever it is we should get" is that men might seem or act non-complicated on the outside, but once you scratch the surface they are indeed complex and multi-faceted, just in different ways than we women are sometimes.
Not true. Fashion and Hollywood etc ought to take advice from real life. Men when asked to pick character trades they admire as "manly" do not choose rambo-traits but things such as "reliability" "fairness" "honest" as trades of what they consider a "real man".
... at least that's what studies in Scandinavia show.
Tina Fey?
so do something about it.
I still don't get why we need a list of sexiest anybody.
I'd like inform you that Scarlett Johansson (actress)actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally using stolen biomaterial.Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady.I'll tell more,those clones(it's not only 1)made in GERMANY-world leader manufacturer of humans clones,it's in Ludwigshafen am Rhein,Rhineland-Palatinate,Mr.Helmut Kohl home town.You can't even imaging the scale of the cloning activity.But warning,H.Kohl staff strictly controlling their clones spreading around the world,they're NAZI type disciplined and mind controlled,be careful get close with clones you will be controlled too.Original family didn't authorize any activity with stolen biomaterials,no matter what form it was created in,it's all need to be back to original family control in Cedars-Sinai MedicalCenter in LA.Controlling clones is US military operation.Original Scarlett never was engaged,by the way
......
Am I missing something?
I knew it!
So is that original Scarlett available...?
This post confuses me. I've always thought that the word "sexy" directly refers to physical attractiveness, and more specifically, a characteristic of physical attractiveness that evokes sexual desire.
Given that, I wouldn't call Salon's list a list of "the sexiest men". Rather, it's a list of talented and cool men who are also sexy. A list of the "sexiest" men would be a list of men picked purely on physical appearance. Nor would I feel it's misplaced to use how hot a woman looks in a bikini as a metric for sexiness.
Is judging a person based solely on their physical appearance a good idea? Obviously not.
I think being cool & talented are part of being sexy. I couldn't imagine myself going to bed with someone vapid & otherwise useless, no matter how good-looking they are. Physical attractiveness counts a lot, but I don't think it counts the most. I know it's not true for everyone, but I think sex is more than just the present physical sensations, even if it is just a fling or one-night-stand. Wouldn't you want to roll over and be able to have at least a 5-minute conversation afterwards?
I think smart is sexy. Funny, talent, kindness- all super hot!
I agree that attraction in general is much more than the initial physical desire. I guess it depends on whether you consider sexiness the base physical desire or as the net total of attraction. If it's the latter, I could see how the sexy women list is bad, as it would imply that women are only to be valued for looks and not talent, intelligence, etc.
As a side note, I'm very saddened that Kal Penn made Salon's list but not Shah Rukh Khan. Seriously!?!
Word. Nothing gets me hotter than a huge, throbbing brain.
For actors it is fake though - the character they play may be smart, funny, etc. but that doesn't mean they personally are. People compare the different roles they have played and how each of those characters made you feel. It is not simply about how subjectively beautiful and talented someone is; it includes an element of how much do you want to tell others if you were with that person. And for women it matters how much power or status the man has because women for whatever reason still accord each other extra status based on their SO's position.
That's a very narrow view of sexiness. Sexiness differs from person to person. I find John Stewart sexy, for instance, not just because he's good looking, though he is. He's even sexier because he's funny and intelligent and talented.
Sexy is NOT just looks alone. It's the ENTIRE PACKAGE.
I don't find Brad Pitt, for instance, all that sexy, when it comes to his looks -- he's a bit too pretty, a bit too perfect, a bit too blonde, for my tastes. However, the rolls he tends to choose (12 Monkeys, Se7en), plus his political views (pro-gay marriage, for instance!), make him very sexy to me.
I get what you mean; Werner Klemperer is the same way. When he's just his typical pretty-boy self playing Colonel Klink on Hogan's Heroes, it doesn't do much for me, but when he conducts symphony orchestras or does guest spots on the Simpsons (the 'Homer loves Mindy' episode), WATCH OUT!
P.S. Mmmmm.... rolls.
Samhita I always thought your writing was sexy and it made me feel like Bret from Flight of the Conchords: Oh my God her writing's so hot. But if I told her that she'd probably think I was sexist. Her writing's so hot she's making me sexist.
samhita,
I don't know if you saw my post about this...I posted it a few days ago on the community blog about how can some source define only one woman as the world's sexiest...when they did not poll every woman out there...I hate it...take a look at my post...and for everyone else, you can take a look too! :)
It kind of upsets me that even the women who are listed in the comments section are less shallow than the E! or maxim lists they're still mostly pop stars and actresses ... How about Amy Mainzer the female astrophysicist who looks like angelina jolie? there are many smart and "sexy" women out in the real world if you do a little more research. it seems like these magazine writers are just lazy and list whichever girls pop into their head first ...
For a different take on the sexiest women list, check out afterellen.com....lots of the usual celebs are on there, but I am always pleasantly surprised by the top picks :)
I agree with the idea that women should be found sexy for more reasons than their appearance -- but most of the list from AfterEllen would look pretty damn good in a bikini.
Just a thought.
Oi vey, "latin lover."