Blakely Thornton on Pop Culture as Sociology, Gay Beauty Standards, and What Makes An It Girl

Blakely Thornton is an original. A self-described Pop Culture Anthropologist and Out 100 Honoree, Blakely has built a digital career that uniquely spans comedy, entertainment, and style. On social media, fans flock to him for his honest, no-holds-barred commentary on their favorite topics. Others tune into Yestergays to hear him and his podcast co-host critique fashion and celebrity culture with his signature wit. Celebrities are smitten with him, often tickled by their engagements at red carpet events like the Met Gala and ultra-exclusive gyms. This very public, creative life wasn't what Blakely imagined for himself as an athletic kid growing up in Dallas, Texas. Blakely was a closeted football player at UPenn, majoring in finance and hoping to follow in his parents' footsteps into a respectable, stable career. Headed towards a traditionally corporate career, Blakely worked at Ralph Lauren and pursued the corporate finance life until he didn’t.

Eventually, Blakely decided that he wouldn’t spend another twenty years as anything other than his full self, and it has paid off. Instead of trying to find ways to inject creativity into a 9-5, Blakely leverages his taste and honesty into a living. During our conversation, we cover everything pop culture, from GLP1s to what makes an It Girl to how much attention Zendaya is actually generating for films and fashion houses. We cover the other side of being very popular online, like the mean comments on Reddit, being seen only as a product, and being expected to carry the emotional weight of a fanbase. Blakely is open about the mental and emotional safeguards he needs to manage the opinions of hundreds of thousands of fans, and why he turns to working out to maintain his peace of mind. We also chat about misogynistic beauty standards, how he makes friends with so many celebrities, and why Heated Rivalry was so impactful.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Blakely

(3:30) The Met Gala Experience

(5:45) Growing Up in Dallas

(7:40) The Trauma of Predominantly White Prep Schools

(16:25) Coming Out As An Adult

(17:15) Heated Rivalry’s Impact

(21:30) America’s Obsession With Beauty Standards

(32:55) Gay Beauty Standards

(43:15) What Makes Someone an It Girl or It Boy

(51:00) The Beauty of Tactile References

(53:20) Pop Culture Lightning Round

(1:02:50) When He Feels The Most Beautiful

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