Glen Powell isn’t your typical Hollywood action hero, but through films like Twisters, Hit Man, and Top Gun: Maverick, he’s made a name for himself that’s destined for A-list stardom. Most recently, Powell graced the cover of GQ’s The State of the American Male issue, in which he boiled the concept of masculinity down to one thing.
The Texas-based actor talks about growing up on his family’s ranch, where he learned to change a tire, operate a tractor, break a horse, and shoot a gun. “They were big on skills in my family,” he tells GQ writer Zach Baron.
But it was none of these skills that taught Powell masculinity, as he tells GQ. “Not acting like nothing hurts and not trying to act like that journey is painless,” he says, “that’s where I feel like vulnerability is the greatest sense of masculinity.”
Why Vulnerability is Key for Powell
Powell relates this to being comfortable with failing and getting up to try again. “I think it’s really important,” Glen says, “when you get hit in the face and you’re bleeding and your nose may be broken, you’ve got to take stock and say, ‘Okay, let’s reassess. How do I get my hands up next time?’ ”
Vulnerability also means caring enough to take care of yourself, according to Powell, who brings up the importance of self-care. ““I feel like that is one of those things, the health and wellness thing, that used to not feel like guys’ owning that space as much,” he says, “and I do feel like the tide is gonna turn on that.” He tells the interviewer that instead of grabbing drinks at a bar with friends, he brings them to a sauna or cold plunge instead.
Related: Glen Powell Is Unrecognizable After Transformation for Next Role
