(I CAN'T BELIEVE I'm doing this, but) there is a logic behind "himbo" as a romance hero. The reason his character archetype exists is to subvert the alpha romantic hero. He often has a stereotypical "alpha physique" but is not overbearing or possessive; he is nonthreatening/safe.

So the basis of his appeal as a romantic interest lies in the subversion of toxic masculinity. He's content to let his partner be the smart one. Often, he admires his partner's intelligence and finds it sexy. Anyway, you should watch THE MUMMY; it's a very good example of this.

I'm going to mention THE MUMMY again, because it really is a great example! Throughout the movie, the Rick/Evie pairing is never unequal. He is the brawn, she is the brains (he loves her for it!) and the film portrays these things on comparable footing. They BOTH save the day.

As you can tell, I am VERY MUCH a fan of the golden retriever-esque hero (a "himbo", I suppose)/librarian-uber-smart partner pairing. I've never written it myself, but I find it a delight. That tweet going around is just a deeply strange take.

Also, to clarify: as a character archetype, the "himbo" is not just "unintellectual beefy dude" -- those dudes are often jerks in stories. The appeal of a "himbo" is that he has a heart of gold. He's a good person, he's safe, and he's also funny! And *that's* why he's lovable.

Like, did Janet "fetishize" Jason Mendoza because he wasn't some intellectual giant? No. She loved him because he was, despite all the molotov cocktails and the crimes, a good person who respected and loved her. Classic "himbo".

And that is my hot take on.....................whatever is going on in this strange tweet

fin