Summer, according to Generation Z The hottest dating trends There’s the “hot rodent man” or “sexy rat boyfriend”.
A rough definition was coined by the magazine Dazed, which explained, “Rodent handsome men are usually more toned than muscular, with more shapely, angular features. They’re often not conventionally handsome, but that makes them all the more alluring.”
The Daily Mail also wrote that “women want a man who is loyal, unconventionally attractive, with piercing eyes and an angular face, otherwise known as the hot rodent boyfriend,” adding that personality is also an important factor.
“They must not only be funny, but also sensitive and have the ability to form meaningful connections with those around them,” the outlet explained.
Matty Healy, Timothée Chalamet and Barry Keoghan are among the stars who Gen Z have said look like a “hot rodent man” or “sexy rat boyfriend”. (Getty Images)
Matchmaker Patti Stanger told Fox News Digital that the trend is a good thing overall.
“I think it’s great that we’re moving away from the traditional classic look and women are finding variety in men’s features. Hopefully that will extend to women as well,” Stanger said.
A prominent, often-cited example of a “hot rodent man” is Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend Matty Healy.
In 2019, a person posted on X, “Matty Healy he’s sexy but like a rat,” becoming the original version of the term before it gained currency this year.
Matty Healy was described as “sexy, but like a rat” in 2019, before the trend took off this year. (Scott Legato/WireImage)
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The 1975 frontman and Swift reportedly dated sometime in 2023 after she split from her boyfriend of six years, Joe Alwyn.
The pair never formally confirmed their relationship and it seems they broke up just as quickly as they came together. However, many fans believe several songs on her recent “Tortured Poets Department” album point to their relationship, including her single “Fortnite,” featuring Post Malone, and “Down Bad.”
Taylor Swift and Hailey dated for a while before she began her relationship with Travis Kelsey in 2023. (Getty Images)
Swift is now dating Travis Kelce, while Healy recently got engaged to model Gabrielle Bechtel. Her mother confirmed the news on ITV’s “Loose Women” talk show.
Several other male celebrities have been described as “hot rodent men” on the Internet.
Healy’s mother recently confirmed his engagement to model Gabrielle Bechtel. (AP Photo)
“Challengers” stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist helped kickstart the trend when the film premiered in April.
Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist starred in “Challengers,” and fans have been obsessed with their “hot rodent” looks ever since. (Mark Piasecki/WireImage)
“The strength of (director Luca) Guadagnino is that Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor They look like cartoon mice but they’re the hottest men alive in that movie.”
Another suggested her attractiveness had less to do with appearance, and noted the sexual energy she displayed on-screen with co-star Zendaya.
“It’s sex, stupid,” the ex-user wrote.
“Challengers” was known for its provocative scenes featuring O’Connor, Faist, and Zendaya. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Another suggested her attractiveness had less to do with appearance, and noted the sexual energy she displayed on-screen with co-star Zendaya. (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Productions)
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Another person said, “The public (including myself) was demanding actors with more interesting faces and our prayers were granted with the condition that he be known as ‘Hot Rodent Man’.”
Some people have opined that this nickname is not the best way to compliment someone.
“I know I’m not as attractive as you in any way,” one person wrote on X. Jeremy Allen White Or Josh O’Connor, so it’s not something I need to worry about, but if someone said to me ‘Yeah, you have that really hot rodent thing’ I wouldn’t be like ‘Oh thanks!'”
“I don’t like the word ‘rodent,'” Stanger said. “Even though their characteristics are similar, I think we can come up with a better name.”
One fan said that calling “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White and O’Connor “not a good compliment.” (Getty Images)
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Conventional or not, many of these “sexy rat boyfriends” are enjoying prosperous dating lives.
Travis Barker He’s an oldie in the “hot rodent” category, but has long been considered attractive by fans, not only because of his looks, but also because of his tattoos.
Baker has been married twice, first to Shanna Moakler and second to Kourtney Kardashian.
Barker and Kardashian were longtime friends before tying the knot in Italy in 2022. They have one child together and three children each from previous relationships.
On the older end of the “hot rodent man” trend, Travis Barker married Kourtney Kardashian in 2022. (Getty Images)
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kylie jenner and Timothée Chalametwho is known for his talent and charming looks, is rumored to be a couple by April 2023. They were photographed together at this year’s Golden Globes. Neither of them has confirmed their relationship publicly.
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner haven’t officially confirmed their relationship, but they have been spotted together several times, including at this year’s Golden Globes. (Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images)
Irish actor Barry Keoghan has become a sex symbol thanks to his roles in films such as “Eternals” and his Oscar-nominated performance in “Saltburn,” and he recently confirmed his relationship with singer Sabrina Carpenter.
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter made their red carpet debut at this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party. (Dave Bennett/VF24/WireImage for Vanity Fair)
The couple made their first appearance on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar party and also appeared together at the Met Gala. Keoghan also recently appeared in the music video for Carpenter’s latest single, “Please please please,” in which they play a modern-day version of Bonnie and Clyde.
“Sorry I just wanted to say to the people I made fun of that Barry Keoghan looked like he was winking at Sabrina Carpenter and his arms were showing a little. I’m now officially set for Rat Boy Summer,” one fan wrote on X.
Keoghan’s appearance in Carpenter’s new music video helped land him part of “Rat Boy Summer” for an X fan. (Nielson Bernard/Getty Images)
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Stanger believes this trend, and possibly others, will continue in the future.
“I think this trend will continue, as many people are becoming famous for their talent rather than their beauty.”
“The Bear” Star Jeremy Allen White There is already debate over whether he truly fits the description of “hot rodent” or a different category, “hot bird”.
In addition to the nickname “Sexy Rat”, White has also been described as the “Bird Man”. (Amy Sussman/WireImage)
“Sorry I have to say this. Jeremy Allen White is not a sexy rat he’s my beautiful pet cockatiel,” one fan wrote about the Emmy winner on X .
“I don’t know how to tell you all this but Jeremy Allen White is NOT a rodent guy!!! He’s a bird guy!!!! They’re different!!!!!” another declared.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
