In 2025, yearning is so back… and it’s about damn time. At least in music videos, on reality TV, and in scripted dramas, these boys (and Chappell Roan) are yearning at a hardcore, advanced level, like it’s an Olympic sport or something. Between Conrad Fisher, Joe Singh, and Nic Vansteenberghe, I don’t even know if I can confidently call myself a misandrist right now. (Having a minor identity crisis about that.) They’re dreaming about girls on the other side of the country, waiting out love triangles for years, putting in the work to court women, easily getting past women murdering someone, etc. It’s all very inspirational.
At this point, it feels like they’re all having some kind of yearning competition with each other, so I decided to go ahead and be the judge: Here’s an official ranking of the most impressive 2025 yearners, including a Best Yearner winner <3. And yes, the winner gets to date me! I encourage all the normal civilian folks out there to take notes. We really need to be seeing more of the dedication, work ethic, and worship of women exhibited by the following celebs and characters.
The Most Iconic Yearners Of 2025
6. Sombr In The “12 To 12” Music Video
Admittedly, I do kind of ship Sombr and Addison Rae after this iconic and under-appreciated music video. “I don’t want anyone else / From the hours of 12 to 12,” the rising indie pop star croons in his new single. (Spoken like a true yearner.) “In a room full of people, I look for you.” Addison stars as his dreamgirl/muse in the video, and we see them coming together in a retro booth and dancing at a club. Addison should absolutely be yearned for, so I approve!
5. Justin Edwards In Forever
My man yearned so much that he low-key just became pathetic and uninteresting, and Keisha wasn’t even interested anymore. Justin serves as an example that yes, too much yearning is possible. You still need a personality and your own passions, I fear! @Men, please do not rely on women to provide all your joy and life purpose. Nevertheless, I have to have some respect for this boy’s unmatched yearning game.
4. Nic Vansteenberghe In Love Island USA
He puts the Nic in Nicolandria, the earn in yearn, the love in Love Island. Thank heavens for my hyperfixation, who just so happens to be the white boy of the month! The season 7 star made the nation believe in love again with all of his longing glances at Olandria, his passionate kisses, and his adorable words of affirmation. And the best part about this one? It’s not even fictional, despite what the haters will try to tell you. Nicolandria is forever.
3. Joe In Ginny & Georgia
That’s my baby(girl), he’s iconic <3. iPhone caaase, pic of Georgia on it. (Not actually, but that’s something this king of yearning would probably do.) Poor Joe. He’s hopelessly in love with the town’s mayoress murderess, and he constantly has to compete with two other dudes for her attention. But one thing about the Blue Farm Cafe owner? He’s never gonna stop having googly eyes for Georgia, no matter the unhinged circumstances.
2. Conrad Fisher In The Summer I Turned Pretty
I mean, yearning is Conrad’s middle name — this is a man who was born to obsess over his childhood best friend (who just so happens to be his brother’s fiancée). While I obviously support the practice of yearning, I can’t condone the subject of his yearning. Our man needs to get the first flight out of Incesty Land Cousins and move on from Belly with some hot, genius girl at Stanford. I’m sure he has plenty of options there!!
1. Chappell Roan In “The Subway” Music Video
Maladaptive daydreaming on the subway and on Citibikes, gazing longingly out the window of a taxi, hanging off of tall buildings, swimming in the Washington Square Park fountain, yelling into a random windstorm… Yup, no one’s ever yearned quite as passionately as Chappell Roan in this breathtaking, timeless song and video. Congrats to the Midwestern princess (and now-New York City icon) on this extremely important, meaningful win.
