I’m a simple woman. I like soft blankets, fruity drinks, and spending time talking about those in this world who just make it a little easier to get up in the morning. I’m talking celebrities. We’ve got Keanu Reeves, who is absolutely the internet’s boyfriend and is beloved by all. (Except for a few who have been taken care of by the internet.) There’s also Pedro Pascal, the daddiest of all daddies on the internet. But then there’s Chris Pine.
Personally, I’ve always had trouble pinning down why I liked Chris Pine so much and why he drew the eye. Because he’s not my usual type of guy, gal, or anything in between or beyond. But after seeing the photos by Mark Seliger for Esquire, I have discovered the why. Pine draws the eye because he’s unapologetically comfortable with who he is, the body he is in, and the work that he does.
Note: Everyone is going through struggles when it comes to living in this world and of course, Chris Pine has his own anxieties, worries, and woes. For this piece, we’re talking about the general presence he exudes through the way he carries himself.
First off, this shot.
To put it plainly, it’s delicate. Oftentimes, when men are photographed, there is an attention to detail that seems strong and has bold lines that tell a story. That story usually falls under the categories of masculine, clean-cut, unflappable, reserved, or macho. In the photo above, he’s unafraid to do poses that accentuate that men also are fragile, soft, and graceful.
Need more evidence? Here’s a video where he talks about his love for ballet while doing his best at some moves.
Then there’s this shot that was described by one person on Twitter as “midnight slutty sorcerer.” Again, this is a personal opinion, but Pine knows how to wear anything. From tank tops to white suits that make him look like a member of The Beegees. (Look it up.) Absolutely anything. And this picture is proof of that. Also, you know those mafia books where the protagonist falls in love with this “tough as nails” big bad boss with a heart of gold that only she/he/they see? THIS IS WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT!
Here’s more evidence for the Mafia enemies-to-lovers AU that I so desperately need and if I would read it, it’d be about this confident and unapologetically feminine man. Extra points for the open deep v-shirt action with the gold chains. Just chefs kiss.
There’s also this sense of confidence in his aging as well. There’s no way to Benjamin Button this bitch. We just have to keep moving forward. And Pine is the kind of man who can pull off two jackets of vastly different designs, a turtleneck, with a matching salt and pepper beard. Because he’s aged and that’s ok.
Put that all together with his ability to laugh at himself and I don’t think the argument of who is the best Chris is even a question. It’s Chris Pine. It’s been him for a while. Triple points for him wheezing while laughing because he doesn’t care. It’s just laughing. Not embarrassing. Oh, and the memes from Don’t Worry Darling press were that funny.
At this point, this post has gone off the rails. *scrolls up to check what I started with* Oh yeah, pinning down why this Chris is the Chris. It just comes down to his confidence, grace, and ability to laugh at himself in an industry that I have no wish to enter besides as a spectator because of how exhausting it looks when it comes to acceptable beauty standards. And all of these factors, in combination with him consistently being caught at indie bookstores and sharing the titles, make him the one.
So, sorry Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth. (Not sorry about Chris Pratt. He wasn’t in the running to begin with.) This Esquire photo shoot puts the nail in the coffin of this long-discussed and fought battle for dominance.
Chris Pine is the moment.
