“Men are pleasure and fun, but not a part of my core.”
With that striking statement in her June 18, 2025 interview with ELLE UK, Emily Ratajkowski opened up a conversation that’s as personal as it is cultural one that’s resonating across the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.
At 34, the model, actress, and author of My Body is no stranger to bold statements. But this one? It hits differently.
Following her 2022 divorce from film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard and now raising her four-year-old son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, Ratajkowski revealed a new kind of support system: one centered not around men, but around women, queer individuals, and motherhood.
“I just have zero straight men in my life, unless they’re a romantic interest,” she told ELLE UK. “The rest of my life is community with other women and queer people, and being a mom.”
This wasn’t a throwaway line or a swipe at men. In fact, Ratajkowski clarified,
“I still like men,”
but she no longer sees them as essential outside of romance. Instead, her personal “core” a term that echoes Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is now grounded in chosen community and emotional authenticity.
Her journey is part of a larger trend: single motherhood and female-led households are increasing. 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, single-parent homes led by women increased 5 percent. Ratajkowski’s words reflect the emotional labor that many women do in the form of unpaid, invisible work to maintain relationships, but her opting out and doing something similar for straight male friends is her way of taking back peace.
Ratajkowski’s openness about sexual identity isn’t new. As early as 2022, she commented that she doesn’t “really believe in straight people” and described sexuality as a sliding scale. In this recent interview, she reaffirmed that vibe and emotional connection matter more than gender.
“I’m open to dating women,”
She told ELLE, “But it’s about connection, not labels.” This view appeals to many younger millennials and Gen Z, for whom fluidity is more prevalent and less stigmatized. A quick glance at Reddit shows users giving her props for being honest, including comments such as this: “She’s living a life that is about intention, not approval.”
Beyond relationships, Ratajkowski also flips expectations of what a mom should look like. From bold school-run fashion to her upcoming role in Lena Dunham’s Netflix series Too Much, she’s pushing back on outdated molds.
“I don’t stop being me because I’m a mother,”
She’s said in past interviews.
“If anything, I want my son to see his mom being free.”
This creative shift isn’t just personal it’s professional. After years of being cast in objectified roles (remember Blurred Lines?), she’s now embracing stories with agency, and playing characters that feel reflective of her own evolution.
Emily Ratajkowski’s statement isn’t a rejection it’s a realignment. Her decision to “not center men” isn’t about exclusion. It’s about focus. About conserving emotional energy. About prioritizing those who reciprocate care without condition. It reflects a deeper question many are asking: Who fills your cup, and who drains it?
