When Taylor Zakhar Perez, Michael Cimino, and Brandon Perea hit the gym together, it’s not just the weights getting lifted—so are the hearts of millions. On August 14, fans of these three rising stars were sent into a full-blown social media frenzy after a simple gym selfie hit X/Twitter. What started as an innocuous Instagram story by photographer Carlos Eric Lopez quickly spiraled into something far more intoxicating. Spoiler alert: it’s thirstier than the Sahara.
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The image in question, showing the three actors—each a beloved figure in the LGBTQIA+ community—flexing their muscle gains and looking hotter than the July sun, was captioned simply, “7 am GYM Crew.” But the mere sight of their sculpted arms and chiseled abs was enough to break the internet.
If that wasn’t enough to send fans into overdrive, Lopez followed up with a behind-the-scenes video. It featured each actor showing off their workout routines: Lopez doing a push-up variation with a medicine ball, Cimino perfecting his glute bridges, Perea pulling weight on a lat machine like it’s no big deal, and Zakhar Perez knocking out a series of push-ups, of course, all while looking like they just walked out of a fitness magazine.
Once X/Twitter account Film Updates shared the gym mirror selfie, chaos ensued. Fans were not shy about their reactions—let’s just say the responses ranged from mildly unhinged to completely NSFW. One fan was so moved, they pitched an entire movie idea: “Begging them to be cast in a classic road trip comedy movie that’s simmering with homoerotic tension.” And honestly, we’re begging too.
More Than Just Eye Candy
While fans are busy drafting fanfic and plotting potential films, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible individual journeys of these three actors, who have become LGBTQIA+ icons for more than just their good looks.
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Taylor Zakhar Perez: The Prince of Hearts and Fashion
It was his star-making role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Red, White & Royal Blue that truly launched Taylor Zakhar Perez into the stratosphere of “heartthrob status.” But it wasn’t just his acting chops that had audiences swooning; it was his effortless ability to combine charm, wit, and, let’s be real, some seriously model-worthy fashion moments. Since then, Perez has kept busy, collaborating with high-end brands like Lacoste and regularly appearing in campaigns that send fans into a feverish state of longing. We’re talking jawlines for days, people.
Michael Cimino: From Horror to Heartthrob
Michael Cimino’s breakout came in 2019 with Annabelle Comes Home, but it was his role as Victor Salazar in Love, Victor that turned him into a household name in the queer community. As a gay teen navigating love and self-discovery, Cimino gave a performance that hit every emotional beat. Since then, he’s been steadily climbing the Hollywood ranks with major projects like the Until Dawn movie adaptation (coming 2025) and the Amazon Prime series Motorheads (also coming in 2025). But let’s talk about that body transformation: his Instagram is a shrine to dedication, muscle gains, and those enviable workout routines we all try—and fail—to replicate.
Brandon Perea: The Quiet Storm
Brandon Perea has been racking up accolades ever since his dynamic roles in The OA (where he portrayed Alfonso “French” Sosa) and American Insurrection (as Arjay), but it was his portrayal of the charismatic Angel in Jordan Peele’s Nope that solidified his status as a breakout star. Perea is also set to appear in the much-anticipated Twister sequel in 2024, and his impressive blend of charm, wit, and vulnerability has made him a fan favorite. And let’s not forget his smoldering presence on social media—Perea keeps it real, giving fans a glimpse into his workout routines, his personal life, and a lot of thirst traps that will have you reconsidering your gym membership.
A Gym Selfie, A Movie, and A Thirst Revolution
So, what exactly happens when the hottest rising stars in Hollywood—each an icon in their own right—come together for a little gym session? Well, aside from setting hearts ablaze and giving us an excuse to post the most unfiltered replies on social media, it also reminds us that these men are much more than their appearances.
They’re not just actors; they’re advocates, role models, and a living, breathing representation of the diverse talent emerging from the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether it’s their on-screen portrayals, their social media presence, or their undeniable chemistry as a group, Perez, Cimino, and Perea have won over the hearts of millions—and judging by the reaction to that gym selfie, they’ll be keeping us swooning for a long time.
So, while we wait for the inevitable homoerotic road trip comedy, we’ll just be over here, watching the abs… and the careers—of these three talented men—rise.