From Sydney Sweeney to Jacob Elordi: Meet the defining sex symbols of 2026

Sydney Sweeney is perhaps the most recognisable sex symbol of the 2020s, thanks to her raunchy onscreen roles and lingerie line, SYRN, which she launched in 2026. 

The blonde beauty's breakout role was in the Emmy-winning HBO show Euphoria, and she followed this up with several hits like The White Lotus, Anyone But You, Immaculate, Christy and The Housemaid.

While she has copped backlash in the past, both for her eyebrow-raising ad campaigns for American Eagle and Dr Squatch, and for her politics, Sydney is unapologetic about leading with her looks.

"I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don't. So when people think, 'Ah, she's a sex symbol,' or 'She's leaning into that,' I'm like, 'No, I just feel good, and I'm doing it for myself, and I feel strong,'" she told Variety.

"And I hope that I can inspire other women to be confident and just flaunt what they got and feel good because you shouldn't have to apologise or hide or cover up in any room."

With his good looks, tall stature, Australian accent and tendency to play broody and mysterious characters, Jacob Elordi is undoubtedly one of Gen Z's premier sex symbols. 

His breakout came with the rom-com trilogy The Kissing Booth, where fans got to see his softer side, before he flipped the switch and portrayed the dark and villainous Nate Jacobs in Euphoria alongside Sydney, proving he had the range.

The actor has seemingly set his sights on prestige projects ever since, with starring roles in Saltburn, Priscilla, Frankenstein, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and Wuthering Heights.

His co-star for the latter film, Margot Robbie, revealed the reaction that her friends had to seeing Jacob as Heathcliff in the 2026 flick. 

"Twenty women were like frothing at the mouth," she shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! 'They were like rabid dogs. There was constant commentary and screaming throughout... I was like: If he walked in right now, I think they would eat him."

Damson has been on the scene for several years, having starred in Farming, Snowfall, and Swarm, but it was his role alongside Brad Pitt in 2025's F1 that cemented him as a sex symbol.

Known for his incredible fashion sense, suave charm and undeniable good looks, Damson is on everyone's radar in 2026. 

The star admitted that his attractiveness had got him far in his career, but shared that he was determined to remain humble.

"I'm beautiful. If I wasn't me, I'd be like, Oh, that guy cares. That guy cares about what he's doing, aside from aesthetics or whatever," he told Essence.

"I think if you care about what you do, that's sexy – and that's inspiring. So, yeah, maybe that's why I’m sitting here in this chair."

"The biggest life lesson I've learned is to remain humble," he added. 

"I love the saying, 'The giant looks in the mirror and sees nothing.' Humility is such an important thing that can take humans far."

The pop superstar has perfectly crafted an image that harks back to '50s pinup aesthetics, yet she has managed to delicately avoid leaning too far into the male gaze. 

Sabrina began as a Disney star before pivoting to music full-time, and steadily built a loyal fanbase over the years before releasing the smash-hit 'Espresso' in 2024.

She has been on the rise ever since, having toured with Taylor Swift and won two Grammy Awards. 

The blonde beauty often imbues her lyrics with raunchy lines and clever innuendos, and dresses in sizzling lingerie outfits while on tour, looking like a retro bombshell.

As a result, she has earned the ire of some naysayers. "You'll still get the occasional mother that has a strong opinion on how you should be dressing. And to that I just say, don't come to the show and that's okay," she told Time.

"It's unfortunate that it's ever been something to criticise, because truthfully, the scariest thing in the world is getting up on a stage in front of that many people and having to perform as if it's nothing," she added. 

"If the one thing that helps you do that is the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that's what you've got to do."

Paul Mescal's sex symbol appeal comes from his inherent vulnerability and quiet masculinity, which fans first witnessed in his breakout role as Connell in Normal People.

He has solidified himself since as an indie darling with commercial appeal, having starred in Aftersun, All Of Us Strangers, Hamnet and Gladiator II. 

When asked on the I'm Grand Mam podcast if he liked being labelled a sex symbol, the star shared that it was a strange experience for him.

"To be honest, it's uncomfortable, not in the sense that I'm trying to be full of faux humility, but it's a weird thing when, very quickly, people are attracted to a character you play," he explained.

“'I'm totally different to him. Maybe what's sexy about Connell is he's that kind of classic back footed, aloof, smart, and I'm definitely not back footed or aloof.'"

The Puerto Rican rapper was elevated to sex symbol status in 2025 when Calvin Klein unveiled their new ad campaign with him as the star, showcasing his six-pack abs and undeniable confidence.

Aside from his incredible figure, Bad Bunny is also outspoken about issues like LGBTQIA+ rights, feminism, government corruption, colonialism and immigration, making him even more attractive to fans for using his voice for good.

"My mum always told me I was cute, bonito, as a kid, and I wouldn't believe it," the star told People.

"Today I believe it. I think that's the most important part of being sexy – believing it yourself. If you don't believe it yourself, no one will think it."

"You have to feel sexy, no matter when or where. That's the most important part of being sexy," he continued. 

"Some days you feel ugly, but other days you wake up and feel like you're the sexiest person on earth…Obviously, when I'm on stage or making music is when I feel not only sexy, but empowered and free. The happiest. In those moments, I feel big. I feel sexy and all of the positive feelings you can imagine."