It seems that mainstream fashion has finally discovered the undeniable sex appeal of bearded, big-boned guys—that’s bears to us gays—thanks to “America’s top plus-size male model” Zach Miko. The 6-foot-6, 275lb 26-year-old burst onto the scene this past fall when he started modeling for Target and was since signed by IMG Models’ new plus-size men’s division, Brawn.
In the age of the lumbersexual and the Dad Bod, even The Grey Lady has taken note of his beefy appeal. In a lengthy profile in today’s New York Times Style section, Miko shares his experiences growing up husky. “I was always the big kid who felt like the outsider,” he tells the paper.
While gay men of a certain size have always found acceptance in the bear community, and even seen images of bodies like theirs celebrated in magazines like Pinups, that hasn’t been the case for straight guys until recently. “For me, the coolest thing about this is the idea that kids like me can look at a website or a magazine and see somebody their size instead of these Adonises … I think that’s going to do amazing things for their self-esteem,” Miko says.
Related Post: Science Confirms The Bigger The Belly, The Better The Lover
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Meanwhile, he is not having American Eagle’s April Fools joke aimed at husky guys: “I don’t think they meant to be malicious,” he has said. “But they were saying to all these guys, ‘Celebrate the way you look.’ And then it was, ‘Never mind, you still look funny.’”
F the haters. Zack Miko looks damn fine to us! And those nice guys good looks are for real; as a kid Miko was an alter boy and an Eagle Scout! “I never used my size in an aggressive way,” he tells the Times. “I tried to be funny and charming.”
These days, Miko is trying to charm his way on into acting. A high school drama geek and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, according to his IMG bio he’s had guest roles on CBS’ Limitless and NBC’s Shades of Blue. With a bunch of auditions under his 40-inch belt this pilot season, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for those baby blue eyes and that brawny physique on TV next season.
And, just because…
Me and my hard to see baby boy #brennerthedog
A photo posted by Zach Miko (@zachmiko) on
dinard38
Yeah. He’s a cutie.
Billy Budd
This is fabulous and should become a trend. His face is exquisite and exotic.
DCguy
How is this an LGBT story?
Captain Obvious
I’m almost sick to my stomach. Are we really calling men plus sized now? It’s bad enough women eat each other alive, now men are feminizing themselves, and adopting the same irrational behavior.
Makeup for, plus sized men, men with eating disorders, men judging each other’s looks, etc. Can’t even call them men anymore.
The nonstop attack on masculinity like wanting to be masculine is negative and to be shat upon is sickening. Men aren’t plus sized. If women want to devour each other that way we can’t stop them but we certainly don’t have to adopt that behavior. Bad enough gay men have to highlight it with the bear term. Men never have to worry about weight or looks… If you do you’re doing it wrong and being a girl. If you want to be a girl that’s fine but even girls are realizing it’s not a fun box to be in and fighting their way out of said box.
Plus sized male model… Wow.
ingyaom
I didn’t know Target had models. I guess they realized most of their customers are “plus-sized”, so why not their models, too?
Imperialist
@Captain Obvious: Men are the New Women.
scotshot
@Captain Obvious: Stop having a hissy fit. Anyone with any knowledge of history will tell you that your definition of masculinity is overtly narrow and disproved by even a cursory glance at the record.
davidjohng
@Captain Obvious: What a ridiculous and weird thing to say and even think. The expanded view of masculinity is what is allowing gay men to be accepted by the greater society. Gay men have had a role in this change. Homophobia and strict gender roles and definitions went hand in hand. You don’t think a man who is hung up about “being a man” is not going to project that out on all men who either cant or choose not to conform? Because all men are less and less straight-jacketed in comparison to previous generations that means all people get to be more of who they really are. It’s a good thing. Wow, yourself.
Brian
How do you know that Zach Miko is straight? Is he straight-identifying? Have you examined all of his sexual fantasies in order to come to that conclusion.
I’m just curious to know how the scribes of the gay media come to their conclusions.
Jack77
What world is Captain Obvious living in? Either you are oblivious or out of touch with the community. If you are a big guy, or over weight you are judged just as vehemently as any female of the same body type. This judgement comes from both inside and outside the community. Some people are nasty, unaccepting, trolls who can’t let anyone live in peace if they don’t conform to what someone else thinks is sexy, or attractive. It’s not the labels of plus sized model we need to overcome. It is the stigma that someone’s only worth is their beauty or lack their of.
silveroracle
I could just cuddle up with Zachary and kiss him long and hard.
What a gorgeous looking man.
Stilinski26
hot hot hot!
Captain Obvious
@Jack77: “The community”. Clearly you mean some random sissies on Grindr. That’s not a community.
Believe it or not plenty of larger gay men have no problem finding and attracting people. In fact most gay guys actually like large guys. If you think skinny runts are the ones getting all the attention then you’re isolated in a gay ghetto and have no clue what you’re talking about.
Tall thick guys have always been viewed as attractive. You’re seriously sitting here implying that all thick guys are the same and putting them on the level of morbidly obese.
Get up in arms if you want but the idea of calling men “plus sized” and giving men the same absurd body image issues that have already been forced onto women is disgusting.
“Plus sized” is not a compliment. It taking the average size of most men and calling it fat.
@davidjohng: Funny considering what you just posted doesn’t even make a lick of sense. You’re implying gay men are less than masculine so therefore we needed an expanded view of masculinity to “be accepted”. Accepted by who? We exist without acceptance and no one decides to “accept us” based on people being comfortable with men acting like women.
You then stomp all over your own weak point by saying I’m trying to make people conform when you’re supporting “plus size” which is BOXING PEOPLE INTO CONFORMITY. How thick in the head are you? Do you know how many women and especially young girls have body issues behind these labels and now you’re promoting this projection onto young men and adult men? Dense.
Morons like you always say you want less labels and then you freaking support every imagined label under the sun that you can come up with. You idiots love labels so much you can’t stop adding them and applying them to everything.
@scotshot: You’re having a hissy fit over my post. Your post doesn’t even make sense. All fluff and no substance. My definition of masculinity is “narrow” and “disproved”(not a word by the way) by what record?
Masculine men don’t care about looks in the way a woman cares about her looks. That has always been considered extremely feminine. Unless you’re really that uneducated you know that much to be true. Mainstream media seems to have a serious agenda towards men being extremely feminine.
Just because we’re gay doesn’t mean we have to act like we’re not men at all. Just because I use the word masculine doesn’t mean we have to act like the most butch alpha on the block. You’re the one with the narrow definition which is why the word sets you off so badly.
@Imperialist: If the media gets their way yeah. Starts with a lame idea and a decade or two. Men in skirts, men wearing makeup, men getting weaves, and now plus sized men. It’s all very pathetic and disgusting.
Even on this site it seems like certain posters flip out over the word masculine like it’s a slur and is a forced aspect of someone’s personality. I don’t know if these people don’t have fathers or they’re just that defiant but in the real world being the biggest sissy on the block only makes you a target. Even the most womanly man knows how to turn the masculinity on when he needs it so all the anti-masculine rants are pure garbage.
I’ve seen men in full drag go butch in a heartbeat when they’ve been under attack for it and it does make you a much bigger target than a guy who blends in. Not saying people shouldn’t be themselves but a lot of this stuff has been turned into a political agenda and it’s pathetic.
Green4Clover
He looks like an average chubby guy. Nothing special or sexy about him. It’s like seeing a dried up dog turd and calling it a diamond.
dwes09
@Captain Obvious: “disproved”(not a word by the way)”
Others have commented on the silliness of your post, so let me just say what is continually “obvious” about you is your disconnect from the actual world.
Before claiming something (in this case something that appears commonly in both scientific writing and popular writing) is “not a word”, the OBVIOUS thing to do is consult a dictionary. You did not, and there is egg on your face. For the record, it is the past tense of the verb disprove, properly used by the man you embarrass yourself by deriding.
miserylovedme24
To be honest, I wouldn’t even call him ‘plus size’. He’s not that big at all. But yes, he’s very cute. I’ve always said I’d much rather have a meaty/husky/bear/whatever term you want to use guy than someone ripped.