Leonardo DiCaprio & The Decline of The ’90s Heartthrob 

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Pedro Pascal and David Harbour act as father figures to Bella Ramsey and Millie Bobby Brown, both on and off screen, which makes Leonardo's tendancy to date younger women all the more uncomfortable.

The fact of Leo being a playboy bachelor in his late forties would be a lot more palpable if he was having flings with more age-appropriate women. It’s the fact that he seems to dump them the second their prefrontal cortex is fully developed that skeeves people out, much more than his perennial bachelor life.

Keanu Reeves 😍 this man will remain a heartthrob due to him just being a decent human. He has done good with his celebrity/platform.

I disagree with The Take’s take on Sylvester Stallone not playing sensitive characters. His most well known character Rocky was very kind, loving, and sensitive as well as being strong, tough, and masculine.

Leo was my first big crush. I was 9 years old and I bought every magazine he was on, every book about him (this was pre google). I always thought I was too young for him cause you know he was 24 and I was 9! Little did I know I had a very small window before I was too old for him lol!!

I can't believe you didn't mention BRENDAN FRASIER as an example of a 90s heartthrob who is still beloved nowadays.

I mean... In all fairness to George Clooney, at a certain age, he didn't seem to date teenagers anymore. You can think about a persons propensity to party and not commit all you want - that's their issue (or non-issue). I think, what it comes down to is who you do it with. As a young women myself, I've had my fair share of older men who where interested in me exactly BECAUSE I was so young and seemingly inexperienced. Leonardo DiCaprio is targeting the exact age bracket I am in. I don't want to present all the women he has dated as dumb, but I get the feeling from older women that they don't accept as much crap anymore as we do. They have had the time to find out what they like, and what they don't like, they have learned what they can expect from their partners. A lot of us haven't figured that stuff out yet. So it very much feels like (at least from the outside) that Leo might be using these women for those exact reasons. I am very aware, that George Clooney has continuously dated women younger than his age, but it does make a difference whether these women are 30 or 19. Idk, I just feel like the difference in experience between a 19-year-old and a 48-year-old creates a huge power imbalance. I can't quite think of a reason why that would be a good thing.

The fact that he starts dating a girl at 18/19 the immediately dumping her at 25 is really really disturbing.

It’s always nice to have our collective crush on Keanu Reeves affirmed on the channel.

I'm an amateur historian at best, but it seems like masculinity was a lot kinder before the World Wars. Men were happy to make themselves attractive, go dancing and spend quality time with their partners. It seems that we are working through the industrial dehumanizing trauma of two World Wars and the unrestrained greed and disposability of the 80s.

I think it comes down to two things. One, Leo was raised in this environment. He's been pampered since he was a teen, and no matter what that's gonna have an effect on who you become. And two, we are starting to realize that celebrities are just people, and they are able to screw up like anyone else, except Leo has a lot more money so he can do it on a much bigger scale. Really, the guy was screwed from the start.

I had a professor in film school who knew Leo as a child through his artist father and she told stories of how neglected he was as a child and starved for attention he was because he was left alone in a locked room while his mother worked two jobs and his father performed. He had a hippie childhood where he grew up too fast with no supervision nor guidance depraved from affection and attention. I think that plus the sudden global fame he got messed with his psyche and stunted his emotional development giving him that forever 21 brain. I don't think he ever wants kids nor even marriage, he wants to forever pretend he's still young like Norma Desmond.

If a guy is almost 50 and is still dating 20 year olds, that is a glaring sign of immaturity.

Leo being almost 50 and dating 19-25 is so creepy. I feel like he would "date" even younger if he could get away with it.

The decline of the 90’s heart throb is also due to things now being global. Back then there was no internet or social media. No diverse and fair representation. You were forced to watch and consume what Hollywood and the media deemed was trendy and had put out. Which was dominant and white centric. Now there are options. Celebrities are taken down a few pegs from the stratosphere as more and more people realize that celebrities are just people and very much flawed as well. Edit: The mystery and mystique is gone.

He was my ultimate crush growing up. I read his biography had his posters etc. I think he's forever a teenager and isn't capable of a serious, emotionally intimate relationship. It's sad!

I mean the fact is it’s 2023. The 90s are further away from our generation than ever before so all the heartthrobs have become… middle aged!

Maybe we could start calling it "mainstream male culture" instead of "masculinity". Ever since I saw Billie Eilish say, "I feel the most powerful when I feel masculine", I've been introsoecting about my own tendencyto think in those terms. If we all truly do have "both masculine and feminine energies", and they're not just internalized gender roles, maybe it time for us to call these external presentations and behaviours what they are - part of gendered culture.

It doesn't bother him or he'd stop doing it. He obviously likes women whose personalities aren't fully formed yet, my guess would be because they're easier to control. There's a reason he likes women under 25 and not just because they're "hotter". 🤷‍♀️

It's not even like he's just fooling around with younger women but these women are literal adolescents.

IMO, it seems that Leo's philosophy seems to be that of Matthew McConaughy's character from Dazed and Confused: 'I get older, but they stay the same age....' ..... which, with every passing year, is getting less funny and more creepy 😬🫣

Paul Rudd is forever my main 90s heartthrob and still is as he is today

I would just like to stress that being unmarried and/or not desiring long-term partnership is perfectly valid. Pedro Pascal has never been married and we love him. I think the obvious difference is, indeed, the age of their partners and if we focus solely on that aspect of Leo's dating life the criticism stays valid. The fact that Leo only dates models under 25 communicates a really unsavory idea of how he views women over all i.e., only having value of they are young and beautiful. Also, as someone in his late 40s, one would hope his life experience would make it hard for him to relate to gen zers in such an intimate way. I think besides misogyny, it's giving immaturity as well.

An underrated Leonardo DiCaprio reference is in ‘Notting Hill’ when the protagonist asks an actor saying she liked working with the famous actor: “So, is he your favourite Italian director?”

I don't know about the always dating younger women, but I do know settling down is not for everyone and you should never feel like you should do it because that's what's expected of you at a certain age

Sylvester Stallone did have a softer side. Don't tell me after scenes like Rambo's breakdown in First Blood, or so many scenes from the Rocky franchise such as Rocky crying over Mickey's death in III, or his argument with Adrian or him talking with his son both in IV, that Stallone didn't have a softer side. Same goes with Arnold and scenes like Conan raging at Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian or the Terminator's emotional scenes with John in T2, or any of Arnold's comedy films like Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Junior or Jingle All the Way.

I don’t agree with notion you’ve presented here, that everyone should settle down at some point because settling down and having a family isn’t for everyone. But yes, he probably shouldn’t be dating such younger women.

I’m glad Leo’s gross dating habits are being scrutinized. I mean really, a 19 year old? That’s extremely creepy. I think it’s one thing to date women younger than you but I think that as you age so should the age bracket of the people that you’re dating. What makes his relationships extra sketchy are how he pretty much never starts dating a woman over 25 and he always breaks up with them before they’ve reached 30. That’s not a preference, it’s a pattern.

I don't think he should be criticized for never settling down, I think the serial dating of young women is the main concern.

This talk about in Bojack Horseman, with the character, Mr Peanut Butter. He dating women in their 20s. What I like about his story that he chose to remain single and he more happier then when he was in relationships. He remains on good terms with Diane, his third ex-wife.

I don't have a problem if Leo never wants to "settle down", there's no requirement to get married and/or have kids. The issue is he's dating practical children when he's pushing 50. It's creepy.

I think it’s a question of moving on and people outgrowing boxes they’re put in. There are people out there who can be better and unique heartthrobs.

bet that he only dated gigi because everyone kept saying he only dated girls below 25

When it mentioned that heartthrobs of today were more open to queerness I just wanted to point out Leonardo DiCaprio played a queer icon in Total Eclipse, Keanu Reeves played gay in My Own Private Idaho, and Will Smith in Six Degrees of Separation. Out of the three of them Leonardo had the most intimate onscreen scenes, so they were open to it as much as they would be for the time.

As a 90s Kid, tom cruise and Christian slater stole my heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Gotta admit, you guys do have a talent for being on trend… Anyway, I’m 32. I’ve been tuned into this conversation, and I don’t think any of us give a damn about him not settling down and continuing to date people… No problem! But… Leave the teen girls alone. Leave the 20 and the 21 year olds alone! You’re never going to convince us that it is OK because we were once teens, 20 and 21 year old girls and we know how these old creeps are, most of us. A lot of us were prayed on by an older man… they just want to suck your youth and life force out of you. Try to mold you. I think everything went left with Leo when people heard a rumor that he was dating a 19-year-old girl.. THAT IS SICK. What’s even more sick is all the red pill misogynists on Twitter arguing with you about why it’s OK for him to do that to a teen girl. Could only imagine what they would do to a young girl if they could. We’re going to always fiercely protect the young girls.

I can't believe Tom Holland wasn't even mentioned.

I'm so glad that The Take spoke about how 98% of heartthrobs of the 90's were white but unfortunately nothing has really changed. Obviously there are outliers like Michael B Jordan and Simu Liu but majority are still white and eurocentric.

wild how Leo’s been living off goodwill from Titanic (and it’s just wearing off)

Paul Rudd later became The Ant Man and went from cute nerd to smoking hawt!

Before I even watch this video, I’m gonna say - at least in some part my prediction is that for the women who grew up crushing on Leo, who are now in their 30s and 40s (I’m in this demographic here), it’s a lot less appealing to still idealize him when he is now most famous for dating women who are young enough to be his child. Whatever his reason is for dating under 25s is, it’s easy to project upon it the idea that a mentally and physically fully grown woman is “past her prime” which feels misogynistic and dehumanizing. Unfortunately there are enough men who fetishize women much younger themselves (and sometimes very young women, period) and feel empowered by famous men whose power and status makes its very easy for them to fulfill that fantasy, so we have a lot of Hot Takes that cycling through women more frequently than you change an IUD and never dating someone who can rent a card without paying an age fee is a “biological imperative”.

Pete Davidson as a heartthrob absolutely blows my mind. I generally think the new generation is right,... except for this.

I think he's very stuck, psychologically, at his Titanic age. I mean, most men are stuck at 15 mentally and emotionally 🤷🏾‍♀️

Could you do a Video about the rise of study Blogs (i.g. Study with me Videos on RU-vid, study Tipps on Instagram and TikTok) during the pandamic? Those Blogs can encourage and improve people to study but at the same time can put additional pressure on them to achieve perfection.

So basically, if they can project an image we think is acceptable, that’s enough? Personally, I couldn’t give a rats arse who Leo is getting on to, he makes great movies

This reminds me of a post about a guy complaining about the high standard of women these days. He was particularly vexed that on top of good looks, guys had to be good people.

If you tasked me with finding an angel, I could find an angel in everyone. If you tasked me with finding a devil, I could find a devil in everyone. Celebrities are not especially anything. They are every bit as flawed as the rest of us. They just have more money and fame.

Leo DiCaprio movie career is pretty solid into the 2000s but I guess this video is just criticizing his personal life of dating younger women and not settling down.

love how the heartthrob changed its sooo good and way more attractiv

Guys (or should I say Girls), I'm SUCH a fangirl for you channel. Love it!

ngl, i did not expect that particular hobi clip during the bts mention 😂

It’s not like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have not broken their image of the action hero. It’s just that the opportunities were relatively less.

Leo gets older and his ladies stay the same age 👍

There's no way Leo didn't suffer as a kid growing up in Hollywood. If I was a predator I'd 100% go for young leo. I don't think he knows much different or has a phobia of adults like Michael Jackson

They're all ended up being creeps or abusers except for Keanu, Orlando, River amd heath. And theynot being replaced with newer versions. We only have Timothée who's big. All the heartthrobs are on tv or streaming. We need younger actors taking over.

I hate how you refer to Giselle and Misha as the perfect woman as it is pretty clear this is only based on their traditional beauty. without excusing Leo's dating habits, Giselle was not his perfect match as she wanted another life than he did. end of story.

growing up in the 90s I never liked Leo I always felt like an outcast in that lol

Instead of judging these men, we just don't have to have them for our imaginary boyfriends. We're on the outside looking in and we really don't know why they behave the way they do, nor should we really care unless said behavior is criminal. They are just fictional characters in our lives, as it should be. I try not to judge because I have no idea where their real life choices come from. Besides, I'm old school and Denzel and George will always be my imagery boyfriends 😉* *I also like Timothee but I feel like a creepy cradle robber for liking him.

We tend to assume everyone who dates is looking for long-term love, when plenty of young and old people just want the social comfort of regular sex with one person for aa long as it’s fun. 20 year olds are adults and are entirely capable of wanting nothing but sex from someone, ESPECIALLY if they are career-minded and self-interested as I was at that age.

Keanu is still a heartthrob to me though. And I am a 50 year old, heterosexual male.

If you want a celebrity with 90’s Leonardo looks to follow, I suggest you check out Yeonjun from the group Tomorrow x Together.

Please make a video about sister wives!

Omfg that clip of Sarah and Freddy was adorable. Yes that’s giving I’m an adult the women next to me is giving I get respected daily

It is such a shame The Take videos are not any longer than around 10 minutes anymore. What happend to the in depth/more elaborative videos The Take used to make?

Where was Brad Pitt? He was the 90’s.

I loved the Rambo and Terminator series back in the day. I'm not sure if they are not sensitive. 1. Rambo First Blood dealt with a Shell Shocked John Rambo coming back home just walking through a town after visiting his friends families where he finds they have died due to complications. He is tortured by the prejudice police and at the end is crying on the floor. NOT Sensitive enough??? 2. Terminator 1&2 are about an Robot Killing Machine... how is he supposed to act... and in part 2 gets to even show us how to feel "feelings" throughout the film as a surrogate father figure to John. I'm not upset or anything if I'm coming across that way. I just don't get how these chaps are being seen as not.

There was an analysis on masculinity in cinema that I can't find, but it looked at how masculinity changes with the teens through out the die hard movies. Going from regular guy to unfeeling muscle dude really shows that trend into toxic masculinity, which were now trying to leave behind

1:31 There's a typo. It says "DiCarpio."

Didn’t Leo start in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

One thing this story missed is Leo’s relationship with Jho Low - and him being the ‘good friend’ of the man behind the 1MDB scandal

The Take: Even the heartthrobs that started out as "bad-boys" didn't always stay that way. Shows Heath Ledger Me: 😯...weird he ended his career being known for an iconic portrayal of the Joker!

If it were up to me, I would make Leonardo DiCaprio biologically 7 years old again. He would retain his memories, but his body would be what he had when he was 7 years old.

As a 90s and early aughts kids I still have a soft spot for Leo. I still enjoy him in a good role like Once Upon a time in Hollywood. Aside from jokes about his young girl friends which is his business I don’t see him going through a decline. He is a bit preachy on environmental issues when he doesn’t live a green life style but that’s more of a celebrity issue

If your you’re pushing 50 how about not trying to “date” someone that has teen at the end of their age😂

I don’t get the obsession with Leo’s girlfriends. At the end of the day, he isn’t actually hurting anyone. The women are all consenting adults. Who cares?

I've never been into him and I was a 90s teen. This little fixation of his with young chippies is a little odd

Di Caprio still dates young women, Keanu is cooler than ever, Tom Cruise just made the highest grossing movie of last year. Who fell off?

Leo Di Caprio has something with the age 25, like that number is his limit for some reason.

Well, the 90s were 30 years ago... so why would today's audience care for them?

Thank you for mentioning influence of BTS on modern day Heartthrob :)

Why the hell are Paul Rudd or Keaunu in the thumbnail. if anything, they've only been thriving

I'm not defending Leo and his creepy habit of dating very young women, but this video seems to equate "settling down" into a traditional monogomous relationship as the only way to age with maturity and grace, which is BS.

It's not the k pop that influenced this cute boy look it was beedles that introduced this soft boy look the girls were crazy over them. More feminine type of dress were introduced by the 80s pop stars Prince, Michael Jackson k pop is a copy of Japanese pop music.

Leo is reminding me of Hugh Hefner a bit.

I think with Leo there must be a deeper problem than just him not realizing he is growing up, he must have some kind of commitment issue or something else… maybe I’m trying to protect him because I think he is a great actor but the fact that he is only dating younger women Is maybe bc of their age they don’t want to settle down yet just like him

Rocky was fantastic for its time

Paul Rudd's character in clueless was not preppy

Everybody grows old and looks fade with time

7:36 mercy mercy me 😮

Those women were legal adults and made their decision to be with him and y'all act like the women have no personal agency about who they date. And you then wonder why so many other women act immature and lack accountability and personal responsibility.

He kissed David Thewlis on the mouth

1:18 yeah...I don't follow any of these guys nor any celebrity, so it's more pop culture osmosis for me. Oh, and Tumblr.

Always seems to forget that Leo did a role as a gay man, when he was a heartthrob

Actually I’m 39 and only date men in their early 20th. So I should not judge him.

9:58 Elizabeth dated Elizabeth Holmes

The focus should be much less on it being odd he won’t settle down as that has no bearing on someone’s maturity however the age in which he seems to stick with for his partners is more of the question

So…we it doesn’t make a difference that DiCaprio is actually a great actor

Of course we all want Leo to be a great person, but the fact is - he is good enough. He's not breaking the law, he's still a great actor and he does a lot for the environment. He's not hearting anyone. Why on earth should everybody get married to be liked? Women and men alike should be free to date whoever they want as long as it doesn't break law.

Let leo live his life