GCSU’s Campus Activity Board hosted their own performative male contest Friday, Oct. 24 on front campus. Tote bags, matcha, listening to Clairo with feminist literature in hand all describe the recent personification of the performative male. 

The performative male is a 2025 man, usually archetype by his fashion sense, his supposed progressive nature and emotional sensibility. Oftentimes this is a persona put on to appeal more attractive towards women, specifically progressive women. 

The Campus Activities Board announced via their social media that they would host their own performative male contest, allowing students to sign up and present themselves in an organized manner. The contest was equipped with a stage, seating and mics for students to compete in different ways including a display of their outfits, accessories or musical performances. 

“I’d say the most interesting thing about the competition was the execution of the concept of a performative male,” said José Genao, a senior sociology and english major. “It’s been almost a stereotype built off of a trend and it’s interesting to see that embodied in others in a funny and lighthearted way. Like it’s cool everybody understands the key facets that make a performative male, so much that they can replicate it on their own.” 

Genao noted that some of the recurring accessories and outfits consisted of tote bags, carabiners and matcha. Some competitors even went as far as to include displays of music on vinyl such as records from Jeff Buckley and Clairo. 

The contest ended with three finalists, named from third to first place, the winner seemingly named Harry Styles. Tommy Creekmore, a senior english major, was named the winner of the contest.

“I knew I needed performative vinyls and books,” Creekmore said. “And then, while many performative males play the guitar, I took the extra step to drag my keyboard out there and performed some of the most classic performative male songs by Clairo and Laufey.” 

Aside from GCSU, many other colleges and cities have hosted their own performative male contests, dedicating the competition to the aesthetic and joke of the deemed trend. These contests have gained much traction throughout the nation, and similar to GCSU these competitions include all genders competing to be named the winner. 

“Honestly, I think it stems from the celebrity look-alike competitions that were popular last year. Genao said. “Seeing stuff like that gain traction probably inspired this as a great way to engage students or the community. I’d even say this type of contest is more inclusive because anyone can wear the performative male accessories but not everyone can look like Timothee Chalamet.”

This trend or aesthetic has been presently made aware through TikTok, where videos were originally aimed towards mainly men finding a new way to dress. It has since become a series of comedic videos around the actions that seemingly come with the style. 

 “I think it’s a trend because most girls have encountered an actual performative man in their lives,” said Sarah Loncon, a senior english major. “A man that would take on the same interests as a girl to impress her but is actually lying. I do believe and know men who have the same hobbies and interests that have been deemed ‘performative’ but actually enjoy them.”

Several posts surrounding the performative male deal with distinguishing who fits this image of the male and what actions categorize them besides the styles. According to various videos, an individual who is considered to be performative may deem themself as a progressive man who reads feminist literature, like that of Slyvia Plath, and will prescribe themself as a feminist ‘advocating for female rights.’

“I think it started off as a joke, it quickly took off as something different,” Loncon said. “Guys now change themselves to fit into this stereotype to join in on the joke. Now any guy who has any interest seen as ‘performative’ is now labeled as performative themselves.”

Whether or not the persona of the performative male is considered a curated facade or a real fashion, it seems that the styles of the performative male will evolve and become a new trend over the next couple years.