Zendaya, Kylie Jenner, and Jennifer Aniston are all reportedly dating the same type of man. Not literally the same individual, of course, but across different generations and entertainment industries, these prominent women are selecting partners who represent a significant departure from the classic alpha-Hollywood-leading-man archetype.
The New Masculine Ideal
These celebrity relationships feature men who are emotionally open rather than dominant, supportive rather than status-obsessed, and comfortable not being the loudest or most powerful person in any room. The fact that this still confuses and irritates certain observers reveals much about contemporary attitudes toward masculinity.
That irritation became particularly visible this week when Jim Curtis, Jennifer Aniston's partner, appeared on The Today Show. Curtis, a hypnotherapist and transformational coach, was ostensibly discussing his new book but inevitably ended up talking about his high-profile relationship.
Public Reaction to Non-Traditional Partnerships
When asked how long they had been together, Curtis smiled, hesitated, and revealed it had been "a long time... almost close to a year." His gentle, unguarded demeanor during the interview may explain why it has provoked considerable snark online.
Social media responses ranged from "Not Jenn Aniston dating this loser" to "Major ick" and questions about why she would choose him when "she could have any man in the world." Since he and Aniston were first linked last summer, Curtis has faced online mockery for his work in mental wellness and his evident emotional openness.
Expert Perspectives on the Shift
Psychotherapist and relationships expert Lucy Beresford suggests this reaction reflects a broader cultural shift that some people are still struggling to accept. "I see it a lot in women who are back on the dating scene or approaching their second big relationship," she explains.
"The old model and the old gender-stereotypical roles are shifting. Many women are welcoming men who are more nurturing and emotionally aware, partly because women themselves are much more in touch with their so-called masculine side. They're in control of their careers, their finances, their sexual and emotional fulfilment — and they're less tolerant of old-school masculinity."
Similar Patterns Across Celebrity Relationships
The same discomfort greeted news that Kylie Jenner was dating Timothée Chalamet. Despite his success, Chalamet's artistic sensitivity and lack of alpha posturing left many observers scrambling to explain the pairing, especially given Jenner's history of dating more stereotypically masculine men like Travis Scott.
Meanwhile, Zendaya's relationship with Tom Holland has produced endless commentary about his openness, therapy discussions, and visible emotional support — traits that are praised but still treated as surprising and uncommon for a man in the public eye.
Understanding the Cultural Backlash
Relationship coach Lorin Krenn identifies a clear pattern emerging. "When we look at recent high-profile relationships, including Aniston's and pairings like Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, there does appear to be a genuine shift away from traditional alpha masculinity," she observes.
"What many women are responding to now is emotional steadiness, self-awareness and inner security. Confidence is still attractive, but it's quieter and more grounded, rather than performative."
Krenn argues that the ridicule represents cultural lag rather than genuine rejection. "Masculinity has long been shaped around emotional suppression, so men who deviate from that script challenge deeply ingrained norms. Ridicule becomes a defence mechanism. It protects outdated ideas even as many women are increasingly saying they want something different."
The Role of Power Dynamics
Power dynamics play a significant role in these reactions. "When women are more famous or wealthy than their partners, it still destabilises long-held hierarchies," Krenn notes. "Society has been conditioned to see male status as a prerequisite for relational legitimacy. When that flips, people project insecurity, even when the relationship itself looks grounded and healthy."
Jennifer Aniston's Personal Evolution
Aniston's own dating history sharpens this point considerably. Her previous relationships with Brad Pitt and later Justin Theroux were relentlessly narrativised by media, alongside years of invasive speculation about her body and fertility. She has since spoken openly about IVF and the emotional toll of decades of public scrutiny.
Desire, after that kind of prolonged experience, naturally tends to recalibrate. Clinical psychologist Daniel Glazer describes the shift as structural rather than fleeting. "I see this less as a fad and more as a recalibration of what feels safe and attractive," he says.
"Women tell me they are drawn to partners who can manage their emotions, communicate openly, and show vulnerability. These qualities are associated with safety. But in the public sphere, emotional restriction is still rewarded, so openness attracts ridicule rather than recognition."
The Radical Nature of Normalcy
Curtis and Aniston were introduced by mutual friends, talked for months before dating, and went Instagram official with a simple black-and-white photograph. In Elle magazine, Aniston described him as "very normal" and "very kind."
That very normality, so often framed as underwhelming by critics, is arguably the most radical aspect of this evolving story. The idea that Zendaya, Jenner, and Aniston are "dating the same man" serves as convenient shorthand for a much deeper cultural shift.
What these women are genuinely choosing represents the same value set in a partner — one that prioritises emotional fluency, mutual respect, and a thoughtful rebalancing of relational power. The backlash they encounter reveals how unsettled society remains by expressions of masculinity that don't insist on traditional dominance or performative strength.
