Manu Ríos knows sex sells–or at least his agent does.
The art of seduction is plastered all over the 23-year-old’s career and on Instagram. The Elite breakout star is not shy to trap his 10 million followers in thirst with his on-screen sex scenes and off-screen selfies. But beyond the smokes and mirrors of his undeniable sex appeal, who is this young internet sensation?
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As the Spanish sex bomb delivers some serious sex bombs in the forthcoming season 6 of Elite, Queerty staff scourged the Internet for all things Ríos to help make your fantasies about him more real. Consider reading this like having a date with him. Or something.
Manu Ríos at a glance
Standing at 5’11″ (1.82 meters for our metric readers), Ríos models for his iPhone and fashion photographers, signed to Next Management worldwide. His birthday lands on December 17th (1998). The Spanish actor currently still resides in Spain – more specifically, Madrid. Sorry, astrologers, getting his time of birth is above our pay grade.
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birthday boy. pic.twitter.com/st3ALueIMd
— manu rios (@manuriosfdez) December 17, 2017
Manu Ríos is young and ambitious but no stranger to acting.
Related: WATCH: Netflix just dropped one of the sexiest teasers we’ve ever seen
Manu Ríos spent his childhood participating in theater and talent shows, including Tú Sí Que Vales and Cántame Cómo Pasó. Elite’s uninhibited fornication might’ve placed him front and center as the next sex symbol, but theater enthusiasts might argue that his breakout role was actually as Gavroche in the play Les Misérables when he was a child, lol. Regardless, there’s a reason why even during the flimsiest script moments in Elite (God knows there are a lot of them), Ríos keeps audiences enthralled.
He was kinda famous before becoming famous, famous.
Starring in Netflix’s second most popular Spanish drama undoubtedly set Ríos on a path to stardom; however, he hardly needed the press when it came to social media. The actor had millions of Instagram followers prior to making his debut in Elite’s fourth season. That’s not to say he shouldn’t be thankful for the show’s global fanbase. W Magazine reported in an interview with him that his followers increased from south of 5 million to ten million in the 10 months since he first appeared as part of TV’s favorite trouple.
Manu Rios can sing, sing, sing.
Move the hell over Justin Bieber and Olivia Rodrigo; it’s a baby Manu Ríos singing covers of songs on Youtube we want to reminisce about. His previous internet fame came from doing exactly that like many greats before him. He even told W he was working on an EP before deciding to fully focus his time and efforts on Elite. Yup, that’s right: If he plays his cards right in Hollywood, he can become a GOAT. We especially love this One Direction music video cover that proves you can have all the talent, but it’ll go to waste without a good cinematographer. What? We think it’s adorable; we never said it was good.
Despite never publicly commenting on his sexuality, Ríos slices homophobia in half with his jawline.
Manu Ríos has not explicitly stated his sexuality, and guess what? He doesn’t have to! Celebrities don’t need to reveal their sexualities to become allies. Ríos advocates for all the good things (including equality) that you would think are obvious of human decency, but we’re reminded time and time again that are still too much to expect. (Think Kanye West wearing an “All White Lives Matter” hoodie as a top.) In 2017, a time before he landed in the media spotlight, Ríos tweeted: “people who use “gay” as an insult are so sad lol.” And we couldn’t agree more. If you really want to offend someone, try saying: “You’re sillier than anti-gay Rep. Madison Cawthorn humping his cousin!”
people who use “gay” as an insult are so sad lol
— manu rios (@manuriosfdez) January 20, 2017
Manu Ríos is childhood friends with another celebrity twunk who doesn’t use labels.
The Spanish dreamboat was born in Calzada, Calatrava, where he was penpals as a teen with an American dreamboat singer in California, Conan Grey. What happens when two small-town boys pass each other in the wee hours of the night? That’s for another distasteful publication because we only speculate raunchy hardcore lovefests between celebrities who we KNOW are queer. Integrity, people! However, Grey interviewed Ríos for Interview Magazine, where they discussed plenty but, most importantly, that Ríos will be starring in Pedro Almodóvar’s upcoming 30-minute short film Way of Life. The film director describes it as his response to Brokeback Mountain.
You can expect to keep seeing more of Ríos as he takes the moment by storm and makes his way around the globe. Luckily, you don’t have to catch a plane to keep up with him. Save on those miles and stay in the know by following Queerty.
Invader7
Great eyes…
jt1990
Easy there pal! If Mexicans are your thing, be careful not to make them angry. They speak overwhelmingly fast, are short tempered and surprisingly strong, and have scary family members who will back them up. Gay or straight, consider my advice! PS I’m talking from experience here. Nothing against Hispanics but I will try not to date any more of them!
man5996853
jt1990…I keep forgetting that Spain is in Mexico. Thanks for the reminder.
abfab
Make love not war! NO MORE BOMBS!
inbama
How ironic that on the same day we’re condemning Spacey for attempted sex with a teen while drooling over this 23 year old who looks so young that he’s starring as a kid in high school.
Hypocrisy much?
abfab
The hypocrite is you, admitting that YOU are in fact, drooling. He looks young to you? Save the irony thing for those really ironic moments. You may erode its meaning.
theherald
Spacey tried to sleep with a 14 year old boy. This is a 23 year old man, who obviously doesn’t look like he’s young enough to be in high school. You’re a ridiculous troll.
jt1990
@inbama Hi Kevin! How’s the lawsuits going?
lessthan
His Elite story line is broken party boy who is just looking to be loved (mostly in the wrong places). He is pretty great at it.
Observant
1998.
Math.
Man About Town
Yes, I was gonna say, Jamie? You might want to rethink his birth year!
OberonOZ
Math seems right to me. Manu Rios is 23 now. Its October of 2022. In December of 2022 (on the 17th according to the article above) he will turn 24. 1998+24= 2022 no?
Fahd
I’m a fan. Goes to show how hot he is and what a good actor he is, most of the Elite cast age out after a season or two. He has a great attitude for the Elite character. Seems genetically blessed with a naturally great body/long neck/face, etc., etc. and for real he is a good singer – maybe he’ll go back to singing once the youth fades. I also remember he couldn’t be bothered with social media in the “old” days. Finally, for a Spanish actor in his early 20s, he speaks English remarkably well.
abfab
Many Europeans speak better English than Americans.
SDR94103
another twink.
mikhailmaui
Yes, but a very sexy successful twink. And from my experience, twinks grow up to become very hot men.
NorthishPole406
I would learn spanish just to wtch him sweat.
cuteguy
Him and the Brazilian guy are the best thing about Elite. Had Ander stuck around, he def would’ve chosen him over unibrow Omar who became clingy
nm4047
You do know it’s not a documentary or biographic teleplay, it’s a scripted TV show that predominantly str8 guys are acting the parts.
cuteguy
@nm4047
When did I ever state that it was a documentary? Are you able to read and comprehend English? I was commenting on the characters on a scripted television show. Is this Cam using another screen name. Are you off your dementia meds again?
Diplomat
Seriously one of the sexiest hottest homo-ventures on screen. Addicting.
scotty
please merge this show and young royals.