There’s no denying the enormous aesthetic appeal of the holy trinity: Queen Bey, Rihanna, and Nicki. And of course, we have all fallen victim to the charming smile and perfectly chiseled body of Michael B. Jordan. Not to mention Lupita Nyong’o being named People Magazine’s most beautiful person in the world in 2014 – an award only given to a woman of color three times before that. Aziz Ansari and Mindy Kaling are arguably some of the funniest people to ever grace this planet, and Donald Glover is like a quintuple threat with a perfect smile to top it all off.
In the face of such exceptional people of color, it can be all too easy to overlook some other beautiful, talented faces. So here, I present to you, an appreciation article for the POC that don’t get enough lovin’.
1. Milo Ventimiglia
Where you know him from: Gilmore Girls, Heroes, Rocky Balboa, This Is Us
Have you ever wanted to be a cigar this badly?? I am legitimately jealous of that cigar.
2. Oscar Isaac
Where you know him from: A Most Violent Year, Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex Machina, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Arguably one of the most gorgeous men ever created. Did you know he also sings? He’s damn good, too… I just listen to him allllll nighttttt longggggg…
3. John Boyega
Where you know him from: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Circle, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Detroit
I’ve never met him, but I trust him. Also, he broke some major ground being the first colored person to be the main protagonist in a Star Wars film so *props* to him.
4. Alexa Vega
Where you know her from: Sleepover, the Spy Kids series, Machete Kills
She gives moms everywhere a good name. Not to mention seeing her pretty face is like an intravenous shot of nostalgia because Carmen Cortez will always be my bad-ass girl hero.
5. Stephanie Beatriz
Where you know her from: Ice Age: Collision Course, The Light of the Moon, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
UGH THIS IS THE ULTIMATE WOMAN CRUSH!!!!!!! She is so beautiful and so funny & badass on B99, but also speaks out frequently about struggling with eating disorders.
6. Charles Michael David
Where you know him from: Grey’s Anatomy, The Originals
Is anyone else struggling to breathe right now???? Was he born with those teeth??? How is he even humanly possible????????
7. Chadwick Boseman
Where you know him from: Gods of Egypt, Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther
He is going to slay. My. Life. when Black Panther comes out in February. I can already hear his fake-Wakandan accent in my dreams….
8. Herizen Guardiola
Where you know her from: The Get Down
Go. Watch. The. Get. Down. Literally, right now. There is no better way to enrich your life, just go look at her pretty face and listen to her angelic voice and be #blessed. Thank me later.
9. Alfred Enoch
Where you know him from: The Harry Potter series, How to Get Away with Murder
Not only was he the cutest freaking kid when he was playing Dean Thomas in Harry Potter, but he grew up to be a major stud. Also, he and his HTGAWM castmates are always squadding up to support women’s rights together. A well-rounded man, snatch him up ladies.
10. Arden Cho
Where you know her from: Teen Wolf
I dare you to find a single flaw with this woman. Remember that one time she completely slammed Hollywood for its white-washing tendencies? Oh wait. She does that ALL the time. You go, girl.
11. Keiynan Lonsdale
Where you know him from: Dance Academy, The Divergent Series: Allegiant, The Flash
Keiynan Lonsdale, AKA the young, rising face of sexual and gender fluidity. This mans doesn’t give a f*ck what other people think of him, he’s just 1000% his genuine self 25/7 and that is the most beautiful thing I can think of.
12. Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Where you know her from: Little Mix
Being part of the hottest girl group since the Pussycat Dolls certainly comes with a lot of pressure and being such a girl boss as a full time job MUST be tiring, but lord she always looks so damn fine and composed.
13. Carlos Pena
Where you know him from: Big Time Rush, Grease! Live
Remember when he was just hanging out with his BTR bros, wearing a helmet and smashing into things? The simpler days? Now he is hot as heck and, oh yeah, a FATHER! But that’s not all: the mother of his child and his equally beautiful wife is none other than Alexa Vega (see #4).
14. Ross Butler
Where you know him from: Teen Wolf, 13 Reasons Why, Riverdale
I will admit, I find Asian-American men to be ridiculously attractive. I have a thing, sue me.
15. Maisie Richardson-Sellers
Where you know her from: The Originals, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Legends of Tomorrow
If that smile has not completely melted your heart by now, you have no heart. End of story.
So there it is, consider yourselves blessed. You have now transcended to another plane of existence. But, in all honestly and not-so-fun news, it was way harder than it should’ve been to find famous POC that weren’t the 5-10 actors/singers that are constantly over-exposed to the world. There was maybe one supporting character of color for every, hmmm, I don’t know, ten? Fifteen? white characters. Hollywood has a serious problem and there are so many stories being untold. So, let’s all make it a point of appreciating those who have doubtlessly had to work five times as hard as their Caucasian counterparts. I mean, it’s not like it’s very hard. Just look at them.