Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Though the “performative male” competition had already begun, freshman Naa Oyoo Quist made her way up the Carnegie Library steps, where her competition awaited her. What looked like an innocent study trip to the library turned into a grand entrance, impressing both the mostly female crowd and male contestants.

As the only female competing, Quist knew the women would have her back. When asked about whether Quist should win, freshman CeCe Stampas responded with two words: “Hell yeah.”

A “performative male” competition took place in front of Carnegie on Saturday evening. Inspired by several Yik Yak posts and other competitions at college campuses around the country, public relations senior Jordan Burda brought the event to Syracuse University.

“So many people were saying this would be so funny,” Burda said. “I was like, ‘Well, no one else is gonna do it, so I’ll just do it.’”

The “performative male” trend has been gaining attention on social media for several months. It’s now turned into an aesthetic. Men dress to appeal to women, like wearing cardigans or listening to indie pop (while reading Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” obviously).

“(A performative male) is a guy that is doing a lot of things for female attention and is focusing in on female interests and things that are stereotypically associated with women,” sophomore Zoey McCarthy said. “It’s not truly from his heart and he doesn’t truly believe it. It’s for the female gaze.”

Even with fliers stapled throughout campus and Yik Yak posts promoting the event, some attendees were unsure whether there would be a turnout, and many wondered who would compete. But, as minutes counted down to showtime, competitors dressed in baggy jeans, embroidered tote bags and graphic T-shirts, with phrases like “Women come First” and “MAKE MEN CRY,” flocked to Carnegie’s steps as a crowd of around 100 attendees stood waiting.

Crowds cheered as campus “performative males” charmed them with guitar performances, a quintessential part of the stereotype. Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

While some attendees watched the event for fun, others, like McCarthy and sophomore Jessica Anderson, stopped by to support their friend, Ziek Diallo, who competed in the event. As the two stylists for Diallo’s “performative male” outfit, they wanted to see if their efforts paid off.

The competition was divided into three rounds, with eliminations met with boos from the crowd. In the first round, the competitors introduced themselves and shared why they deserved to win. With 30 competitors, small details mattered in deciding who progressed.

Contestants knew this. As the “performative” name suggests, their responses to questions were tailored to the female crowd. Many competitors claimed to be Clairo and Laufey fans, while others dedicated their love to mothers and female friends. With many competitors throwing pads and tampons into the crowd and biochemistry majors dedicating their studies to end period cramps, the excitement in the crowd was palpable.

After a tough elimination, the second round featured 15 remaining contestants. Burda asked each contestant a series of questions. Answers ranged from favorite music artists to thoughts on the gender pay gap.

Sporting wired headphones, flannel shirts and half-read feminine literature, contestants gathered on the steps of Carnegie Library to compete to be Syracuse University’s most “performative male.” Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

In the most heated round of the night, the remaining five competitors were the epitome of a “performative man.” Guitar strumming attempted to charm the audience while the stirring of iced matcha cracked laughter in the crowd.

After another round of heavy persuasion on their merits, Diallo and Quist were in the endgame.

Diallo said his win would be dedicated to women, but with his competitive nature, refused to step aside for Quist.

The crowd noted his irony: if Diallo was truly a “performative male,” wouldn’t he concede his victory to Quist? Attendees thought yes, leading to Diallo’s elimination.

“I honestly thought I was gonna win this competition. But things happen in life. You gotta take your Ls,” Diallo said.

Competitor Dominic Zlupko said it was unlike a football game or a campus-organized event. The competition was a way to interact with people he’d never met before and a great way to make connections as a first year student, Zlupko said.

And it did just that. Crowd members asked for pictures with the competitors, talking about their favorite moments of the night. Nearby, two contestants played “Sparks” by Coldplay on their guitars while students sang along.

“Everyone and anyone can join. Even if you don’t know about the performative thing, it’s free,” Diallo said. “A lot of people are screaming. It genuinely brings the community together.”

Though Quist emerged victorious, accomplishment came from more than the title and $40 prize, she said. Seeing community members come together for this made the night worth it.

“I thought I was going to be eliminated in round one, but the other contestants were (saying) ‘She’s going to win because she’s a woman,’” Quist said. “ That was peak.”

Published on September 14, 2025 at 10:03 am