Sex Symbols
by Tyler Woods on Aug. 22, 2010, under Life
I just love it when People Magazine comes out with the “sex symbol” or sexist people. Really what is that? Sure it’s fun to thumb through it at the super market to see who they claim is sexy. Most days, the Hollywood hoo-ha’s pick people that all look alike. Most of today’s stars or “sex symbols” are filled with crowns, plastic, Botox and a tan that is as fake as fake can get. We think this is sexy? Well of course this got me thinking…
We do not have sex symbols anymore. They are gone! Let’s face it folks, you can fight it all you want, and I am sorry you were cheated, but we simply do not have pure sex symbols; well not like we did in the 40s, 50s and 60s where people were naturally sexy.
So who were some of the sex symbols back then? I suppose the list could go on and on, however for the purpose of this story, I am going to write about the sex symbols that I recall.
I think one of my all time “sex symbols” was Sophia Loren. She was an Academy Award winning film actress. I have to admit, I have named one of my guitars after her. Not only was she an actress in America, she was widely considered to be the most popular Italian actress of her time. For me, she showed women could have class.
Okay next, James Dean who in 1955 starred Rebel Without a Cause where he played a troubled Los Angeles teenager. Dean became like this sexual icon to teenagers and he had a wild sexual history, which included experimental relationships with both men and women, which made him more mysterious and sexy. Speaking of sexuality, come on Rock Hudson was a sex symbol. Despite what his sexuality was; women adored him.
Let’s look at Raquel Welch who has starred in over a hundred films and television programs. My goodness, she represented sexy and smart. She was not dingy, she showed women could be smart and daring. So did Lauren Bacall and Audrey Hepburn. These ladies had talent along with sex appeal. They were able to show that women could get the acting job done, and look wonderful doing so. Other women considered sex symbols were Marilyn Monroe, Ann-Margret, Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth.
Marlon Brando got his stardom A Streetcar Named Desire. He was an Academy Award winner and he had a style that introduced men to the term gentleman. His acting was superior. Warren Beatty was another male sex symbol. His fame came with Splendor in the Grass and Bonnie and Clyde. Other male sex symbols of times gone by include Cary Grant, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood and my mother’s favorite, Elvis.
Today I am unsure what defines “sex symbols”. We have grown up as a nation. No longer do women faint when they see their favorite stars and we often do not drool in public places over Hollywood Hunks. Some say Pee Wee Herman is sexy, others say Hugh Jackman. I think anymore it is about personal choice, what is sexy to one personal can make another person gag. I am glad we outgrew sex symbols.
Okay folks who was your sex symbol?
