Performative male contest London: Best crowned after Soho Square event

Performative male contest London: Best crowned after Soho Square event

Aiman Kaiden, a 22-year-old musician, participated in a contest in London’s Soho Square as he competed among two dozen other individuals to be crowned the best “performative male” in the city. With a tote bag full of feminist literature and sanitary pads in his pockets, Aiman displayed his readiness to empathize and support women in need. The performative male persona is centered around understanding female struggles and being a listening ear for women.

During the competition, Aiman was required to showcase his knowledge and skills, ranging from explaining his choice of literature to performing romantic songs. Despite some stereotypical interests aligning with the performative male image, Aiman denied categorizing himself as such and noted that his friends pushed him to participate. The event saw spectators voting for their favorite contestant after they completed a series of challenges.

Amid the contest, Aiman played a romantic song on the ukulele, a Clairo tune called Sofia, and highlighted novelist Cecelia Ahern’s book, “PS, I Love You,” as his preferred read. He interacted with the audience by tossing roses and expressing his affinity for purchasing flowers regularly, either for friends or his significant other. Zara McIntosh, one of the attendees, praised Aiman’s self-assured demeanor, particularly his humorous responses to challenging women-related questions, which set him apart from other competitors.

Zara believes that the distinction in performative males’ fashion choices and affectations is a statement of rejecting certain political ideologies, signaling a disassociation from misogynistic, right-wing views. She emphasized the importance for women to ascertain their partners’ stance on critical social issues like feminism, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Aiman acknowledged the existence of individuals who adopt performative behaviors solely for female attention, underscoring the necessity for genuine interest in supporting feminist causes.

As the event garnered attention, Aiman experienced an increase in followers on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where he shares his music compositions. Despite the romantic speculation from fans sparked by his performance, Aiman clarified that he already has a girlfriend. Embracing his newfound popularity, he continued to engage with fans and teased upcoming Clairo covers on TikTok

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More