Arguments for:
-It’s Twilight Week. It’s perfectly timed. You give it to him, the Twi-Hards jizz all over the newsstands, instant major cash. Pattinson is almost an automatic. It’s the “of course” selection. He’s made the final 3. I would not be surprised.
But if I were safeguarding this brand...
Arguments against:
-The average age of the Sexiest Man Alive is 39. That’s almost 15 years older than Pattinson’s 25. And there’s a reason for this. The key word is MAN. The last time PEOPLE named an SMA under the age of 30 was Tom Cruise in 1990 at the age of 28. Before that, the youngest ever PEOPLE Magazine SMA was JFK Jr at 27. Pattinson would set at a new record at 25. It’s been 20 years since PEOPLE has dipped under 30. Do they risk it for this kid?
-The SMA wins votes on both sides from ladies and from dudes. I think we can all agree that Robert Pattinson isn’t exactly the Man’s definition of a Man, right? Not yet. He’s 25. Give him time.
-The SMA is arguably PEOPLE’s most well known brand. It’s a big deal. You don’t f-ck around with the legacy. Like, Jude Law back in 2004 was a dicey choice. And Jude Law is infinitely less dicey than Robert Pattinson. There’s tradition at stake here. There’s history. You don’t toss that aside for a passing phenomenon.
-He’s British. That would make it back to back non-Americans after Ryan Reynolds last year. If Pattinson is chosen, he’d not only be the youngest SMA ever but also the first time it’s gone consecutive outside the USA. How do you think that goes over in the USA? That not only is he not American, but he’s a non American 25 year old dandy with tea pouring hands? How about waiting 10 years, letting him develop some calluses? One day it’ll be his. Just... he’s not ready. He’ll grow into it.
(Like I said, he’s in the final 3. He could very, very, VERY well take it. I’m just saying, if they do give it to him, I’m not sure if that’s a smart long-term decision.)
Odds: 5 to 1
