Whenever I start reading a new romance novel, one of my absolute favorite things to do is picture a hunk of a celebrity in the male leading role. Admit it, you do it too! Don’t you? Please say yes so that I don’t feel like a complete and total weirdo. I feel it’s easier to visualize the actions of the characters when I picture celebrities, so that it almost plays out like a movie in my mind. Sure, there are times when I’ll picture someone completely fictitious, or the male model on the cover will be so delicious that I’ll just picture him instead. But 9 times out of 10 I can’t help but picture a celebrity, and below are some of my favorite go-to choices.
My Current Crush
My go-to actor of choice has changed dramatically throughout the years. Hell, when I was in middle school it used to be Ben Affleck for crying out loud. For the past couple of years though, the actor I always seem to picture as my romantic leading hunkenstein is…drum roll please…Paul Wesley. For those of you who don’t recognize the name, he plays Stefan on one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows, The Vampire Diaries. For the rest of you who still don’t have a freakin’ clue who I’m talking about, just look to the photo!
Yup, this is the gorgeous man I have the tendency to picture whenever I start a new book. When I read Fifty Shades of Grey, this was my Christian. Luke Williams in Come Away With Me, Drew Evans in Tangled, Colton Donavan in Driven, the list goes on and on. Now, I think there are a few legitimate reasons why Mr. Wesley is an ideal go-to celebrity for my romance novel reading.
1. By God his hair. Not too short, not too long, just perfect for running your fingers through. Also, depending on the lighting it can fluctuate between brown and blonde. This means that he can fit into a broader range of author descriptions.
2. His Age. I still find it hard to believe, but Mr. Wesley is 32 years old. Considering he plays a lifelong teenager on The Vampire Diaries, I like to think he can be pictured as any romantic lead between the ages of 20-35.
3. The Body. I don’t think any explanation is needed here.
4. The Range. Yeah, I know, The Vampire Diaries isn’t exactly Emmy worthy, but because I’ve seen him portray his character of Stefan from the late 1800s to today, I have no difficulty picturing Mr. Wesley as a brooding billionaire in a contemporary romance, or a ship’s captain in a historical one.
The Battle of the Scotsmen
Sadly, Mr. Wesley can’t be pictured every time. I always have to find someone different whenever a lead is featured with an accent. It seems that more and more authors are choosing to depict a good ‘ole Scottish lad as their hero (not that I blame them), and this brings me to perhaps one of the most famous Scots of romance novel history: Jamie Fraser in Outlander.
I first read Outlander in 2007. How do I remember the year? Because that’s when the movie Atonement first came out. In the film, we have the dashing James McAvoy (a real-life Scot) fall in love with Keira Knightley (a real-life Brit), and when I first read Outlander they quickly became my Jamie and Claire. In this instance it had less to do with their physical appearance, and more to do with their accents. I was having trouble hearing Jamie’s voice in my head with a Scottish accent, so as a compromise I would watch a few online interviews of James McAvoy to hear the lilt of his brogue and voila, I have pictured him as Jamie Fraser ever since.
But alas, we have a new Scotsman on the block, and that would be Mr. Sam Heughan. He actually plays Jamie in the Starz Outlander series, and has come to replace my go-to Scottish actor of choice, not just for when I read Outlander, but for practically every book which features a male lead from the Highlands. He just wears that kilt so damn well.
The Caveat
Picturing a celebrity when reading a romance novel can be delightful, especially when you get to the raunchier scenes. However, there are times when things don’t work out so perfectly, and you’re sort of forced to ignore some of the character’s traits or mannerisms. Prime example: in Outlander, Jamie is a very tall red-head, standing at over 6 feet tall. In real life, James McAvoy has short brown hair, and is about 5’7”, which means I’m taller than him! I remember whenever I read the first few books, and Claire would describe how his long red hair was in a plait, I would just sort of skip over it and pretend it didn’t happen. Not very conducive to losing yourself in the story.
And You?
I have a feeling that at this point about half of you out there are thinking back on all of the different celebrities you may have pictured throughout the years in your reading, romance or otherwise, and the other half of you probably think I’m a border-line schizo who needs to have her head examined. If you’re the former, feel free to share who you picture in the comment section! If you’re the latter, you probably aren’t completely out of line.
Oh my gosh! This post is awesome, I love it! I have to admit though…. I’ve never done it myself. However, after reading this post, I may be inclined to do so!!!
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I highly recommend it!
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My go to is Gerard Butler! :))
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Oh yeah, that’s a good one! I’ve definitely used him before in the past.
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You’re not crazy 🙂 I don’t picture a star every time, but when I was writing Masked Hearts, I pictured Patrick Monahan, the lead singer for Train, as Mark. In fact, I listened to their music while writing that story more than any other.
Now that Colin Firth has played Mr. Darcy, I really can’t picture that character looking any other way 🙂
But if a book has a blond, muscular lead, Chris Hemsworth it is!
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Um Colin Firth will forever and always be Mr. Darcy!! And I like the Chris Hemsworth idea. I think I’ve pictured him before for some military heroes.
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Hi! I don’t usually picture a celebrity. I put together someone fictitious in my head based on how I interpret the description and voice. That’s my favorite way to read. That being said, like you (and probably everyone else), I now only picture Sam Heughan (happily) while reading the 5th installment of Outlander. Great post!
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My sister always pictures her own character too. How are you liking Book 5 of Outlander? I don’t think I’ve ever whined more at the dullness of a book.
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I hate to say, I read 25% and put it down to read other books, but it’s sitting on my nightstand taunting me. I couldn’t put the 1st 4 down, but this one is a little slow. I know I’ll pick it up again, but really, with the show on, my Outlander fetish is being met. It’s awesome, isn’t it? We’re on the same wavelength.:-)
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I’m sorry to say Book 5 isn’t going to improve much. However, I had a pretty good suggestion which helped my sister get through book 5, and that was to read a different book every time you finish a “part” (not chapter) of Outlander. Basically every time you finish a section you get to reward yourself with a new book!
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I do this rarely, but I do do it. When I read Divergent, I pictured Tyler Hoechlin as my Four (this is also the part where I admit I watch Teen Wolf!)
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We all have our guilty pleasures!
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Girl you are not alone although I’ll tell anyone who will listen how much I love TW, I have no shame lol!
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I would totally skip over the descriptions of Jamie’s long ginger hair too! Sam Heughan is totally doing it for me though. Love the post’
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I love Sam Heughan when his hair is all shaggy Highlander, but I HATE when it’s combed back. I may have a hair obsession I never knew existed.
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I’m getting worried about season two. In all the promotions he’s been doing it looks so much lighter and straight. I sincerely hope the stylist on set is going to keep it the same!
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Excellent suggestion about rewarding myself through book 5! I’ll do that. Thanks!
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For blondish blue-eyed heroes, Chris Pine.
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Solid choice!
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Also, I watch TVD too. Can’t wait to watch tonight’s episode. Did you know Nina Dobrev is leaving the show this season?
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I know!! How can she leave?? But then I read somewhere that Stefan will become the main focus for next season, and I’m just fine with that 🙂
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Hehe But I love Damon! I Stefan in bad boy mode with Caroline though is hot.
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OMG, don’t even get me started on bad boy Stefan. I’ve been waiting for him and Caroline to get together forever! And of course Damon is amazing.
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That sex against the wall scene…
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Aaaand, fanning myself
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Very rarely. However, depending on the description of the characters voice, I mentally borrow a celebrity’s voice.
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I loved this post! I like Paul Wesley too as I am a Vampire Diaries fan. I didn’t realize he had such a muscular physique! Like that photo 🙂 When I read 50 Shades, I pictured my man Haha! I almost wondered if the author knows him! 🙂
xo Bry
BrightonHillNaughtyandNice
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My sister said the same thing, she had no idea Paul Wesley was so built! You are the first person to comment on picturing their own man! Love it!!
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Well I’m not going to lie but when I’m reading, the character’s appearance usually is one I make up in my head haha. Although, every time I read about a brooding, cocky guy with black hair and blue eyes I can’t help but think of Ian Somerhalder. I am guilty of using actors as my inspiration for the characters I write, however. For example, my main male character looks very similar to a young Hugh Jackman. Think early x-men series. Long hair, brooding and sexy. Rawr ❤ lol
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Oh yeah, Ian Somerhalder’s blue eyes are to die for. Interesting that u sort of do what I do, but in reverse! Hugh Jackman is perfect 🙂
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Yep I’m pretty sure I watch Vampire Diaries just to drool over Ian haha. And Hugh Jackman is my old man fantasy.
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Reblogged this on Books and More.
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I do this all the time, though sometimes the look of the character shifts a bit in my mind. My go-to celebs are Charlie Hunnam, Christian Kane, and Chris Evans, though sometimes it depends on whatever movie I’ve just watched. So glad I’m not the only one!
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Oh Chris Evans is a good one! I’ll have to remember him
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I LOVE Sam Heughan!
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Here’s some of my favorite book boyfriends. http://lizellyn.com/book-boyfriends/
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