Travis Kelce, those shirtless GQ photos and how masculinity is changing Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAYAugust 16, 2025 at 7:01 AM Travis Kelce has been everywhere this week. On Aug 12, he was shirtless on the cover of GQ.
- - Travis Kelce, those shirtless GQ photos and how masculinity is changing
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAYAugust 16, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Travis Kelce has been everywhere this week.
On Aug 12, he was shirtless on the cover of GQ. In the photoshoot, Kelce presents a stereotypical (and exaggerated) embodiment of masculinity — he is dressed in full fur, construction vests and wrangles alligators. He's unflinching while wrapped in a snake. But in the interview, he also embraces vulnerability, grapples with self-doubt and talks about it openly – celebrating his superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in the process.
The following day, Swift made her highly anticipated debut as a guest on Kelce's "New Heights" podcast, during which she announced her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl."
Kelce said she's "the best songwriter in the world."
Swift countered with "says my boyfriend," but isn't that exactly how boyfriends should talk about their partners?
His pride in talking about Swift along with his openness in his GQ interview sets a critical example for young men today. Mental health experts say it's crucial for boys and young men to understand the importance of showing emotion, which can contribute to building long-lasting relationships and overall mental wellness.
"It's breaking the masculine code, stepping out of the man box, and saying, 'Yeah, I'm vulnerable,'" said Ronald Levant, a professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Akron and co-author of "The Problem with Men: Insights on Overcoming a Traumatic Childhood from a World-Renowned Psychologist."
'Black cat boyfriends' and a new dawn for emotional men
We're living through the rise of the "black cat boyfriend" — an archetype of elusive, emotionally complex love interests in shows like "Too Much" (Felix), "The Summer I Turned Pretty" (Conrad) and "Ginny and Georgia" (Marcus). And while it seems like viewers are rooting for vulnerable men now more than ever, we've always had a soft spot for the complicated character with a good heart. Just look at Jess from "Gilmore Girls" or Lucas from "One Tree Hill."
Celebrities are also having a moment when it comes to vulnerability. In January, a viral video of Bad Bunny crying after his song "DTMF" blew up on TikTok opened up a conversation around men and emotion.
"Bad Bunny signals to young men that it's not only acceptable, but also healthy to confront and express their feelings, which is something that men and young boys haven't been taught to do," Sheldon Jacobs, a licensed therapist who serves on the National Alliance on Mental Illness Board of Directors, previously told USA TODAY. "It's really pushing and challenging those cultural norms."
In Kelce's GQ interview, he said it is difficult to "block out" the increased media scrutiny. He admits that despite his inability to control what people say about him, it does affect him.
"If someone says something that they don't like about you, you have to be able to understand how you are portraying yourself for them to say that," he says. "I'm a guy who doesn't want anyone to say anything negative about me. Some people don't give a (expletive). I'm someone who does care."
He wants to be someone young people can look up to, he told GQ: "I do want people to look at me like I'm doing good in the world, I'm influencing and using my platform for the better, being a role model, being somebody that has done it the right way."
What's a 'black cat boyfriend' and why is everyone obsessed with them?
Travis Kelce is Swift's biggest hypeman
When Swift finally posted Kelce on her Instagram feed, Swifties celebrated. They've praised Kelce for "loving her out loud" — his joy over her accomplishments, and her happiness to have him by her side through them shines.
"When we feel confident in our partner, it can feel great to show them off," Kimberly Vered Shashoua, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY.
On "New Heights," Swift shared that she couldn't have been happier to be near Travis the moment she got her masters back. She ran into the next room sobbing to break the news, and even he shed a tear.
"I started crying too, you know I'm a crier," he said.
"You were weeping," Swift quipped.
In the words of Swift herself: Kelce and Swift "show up for each other."
"You want to keep things private, but at the same time... I'm not here to hide anything," Kelce said in June 2024. "That's my girl, that's my lady, I'm proud of that."
Contributing: Rachel Hale, David Oliver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Kelce is Taylor Swift's No. 1 fan. Boyfriends, take notes.
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