A new era of pop stars is on the horizon, including Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish. While pop girls dominate the current pop music sphere, many people wonder where the male pop stars have gone.
For decades male pop stars have entertained the masses with their powerful voices, mesmerizing performances and swoon-worthy looks. Dating back to the 1930s to the ‘40s, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra were some of the first to be considered “pop stars.” The mid-1900s consisted of performers such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
In the late 1900s, influential names such as Michael Jackson began to make their mark. The early 2000s and 2010s were booming eras for pop music, featuring iconic pop stars such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars.
With these influential men in mind, a few up-and-coming male artists seem to have what it takes to be considered this generation’s next male pop stars.
Troye Sivan has recently gained a reputation among pop music lovers. His talented vocals and charismatic performances bring people back to the 2000s era of pop performers.
Sivan released his third album, “Something to Give Each Other in 2023, featuring songs such as “Rush” and “One Of Your Girls.” With the help of TikTok, these songs, along with a few others, gained a lot of popularity, particularly among the LGBTQIA+ community.
The success of his album led to him being featured on albums from artists such as Ariana Grande and Charli XCX. Recently, Sivan ended his “Sweat Tour” with Charli XC and promoted his passion for live music entertainment. He performed acts where he proudly expressed his love for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sivan’s keenness for showcasing inclusivity through his performances and flirtatious attitude makes him likable by many and worthy of being considered a pop star.
Another contender for this generation's male pop star would be Ross Lynch. Several fans know Lynch from the hit TV series “Austin and Ally.” During and after the show ended, Lynch continued making music with his band R5 until 2018.
In 2018, Lynch and his brother Rocky founded their band called “The Driver Era.” The duo has since released three albums, all of which have been very successful. However, Lynch catapulted his band’s popularity with the help of his open mind and good looks.
In 2023, Sivan released a music video of his song “One of Your Girls.” In the video, Lynch was featured as Sivan’s love interest. Both Sivan’s and Lynch’s fans found the music video sensual considering the tension created between Lynch and Sivan, dressed as a man in drag.
Since the video, fans have appreciated Lynch by promoting his band and fawning over his good looks. His attractiveness and impressive musical background make him suitable for pop stardom.
Additionally, the artist ROLE MODEL, also known as Tucker Pillsbury, has gained a recent following due to his emergence within the alternative pop music scene.
Much of Pillsbury’s rise to popularity began with his former relationship with YouTube star, Emma Chamberlain. After the two split, Pillsbury released his album “Kansas Anymore.” The album explored the heartbreak he experienced after his relationship, mainly devoted to remembering and appreciating his time with Chamberlain.
After leaving several hopeless romantics yearning for the healthy relationship he had, Role Model gained more appreciation from his fans. According to the Grammy Museum, his latest album received “45 million streams and 500 million+ views on TikTok.” The success of his last album showed his ability to connect with his fans on a personal and sentimental level, a quality many pop stars possess.
Benson Boone is a newer music industry artist who has gained success. His debut album, “Fireworks & Rollerblades,” was released earlier this year and featured his viral song “Beautiful Things.”
With support from TikTok, Boone’s viral song became part of a wholesome trend, turning him into an overnight pop star sensation. The song held a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 40 weeks.
Since the release of his album, Boone has continued pursuing music by going on his first world tour. As he continues to showcase his incredible vocal range while he adjusts to performing globally, Boone emphasizes his title as one of this generation's next male pop stars.
An abundance of remarkable talent is already impacting the music industry today, and these are just some influential voices trying to end the current male pop star shortage.
