Move Over Ryan Gosling, These Are Our Fave Black Kens IRL

In honor of the Barbie movie out in theaters, we felt it fitting to highlight the beautiful men in our own backyard who are more than ‘Kenough’ in our eyes.

Michael B. Jordan attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party in Beverly Hills, California on March 12, 2023. Photo: Getty Images MICHAEL TRAN/AFP

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s officially a Hot Barbie Summer. Whether you plan to be all dolled up in pink for the rest of the season or grabbing your friends to go see the long-awaited Barbie movie (that’s out in theaters now, btw)—we felt it fitting to roundup of our favorite Black Kens IRL get you in the mood.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Scary On-Air Incident During News Broadcast Finally Explained

Move over Ryan Gosling, BarbieLand is about to get a whole lot more melanated!

Let’s go ahead and kick things off with our favorite Creed and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan. The internet didn’t dub him Michael B(ae) Jordan for no reason. He’s been on my (and many other women’s) Christmas list for years now and that’s why he’s the perfect Ken.

Trevante Rhodes

Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor

Do we really have to say much, here? Trevante Rhodes has the smile, the skin, the physique and the talent to be hands down one of the best Kens on Earth. (Hope Barbie can fight though because we might have to scrap over this one.)

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Photo: Getty Images Thomas Samson / AFP

With a strong name like Yahya-Abdul Mateen II, stellar smile and overall bomb personality, we’d be remiss if we didn’t have him as one of our Kens.

Regé-Jean Page

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

You already know we will always burn for our forever #BridgertonBae Regé-Jean Page and we will burn this place down if anyone objects to him being one of our Kens.

Broderick Hunter

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett for EBONY MEDIA GROUP

Model Broderick Hunter has quite literally been taking up prime real estate on the Ken front seemingly since he came on the scene and we must all thank the powers that be (and his parents) for blessing us like this!

Kofi Siriboe

Photo: Getty Images Dominik Bindl

Kofi Siriboe? No, more like Kofi SiriBAE. He’s been the internet’s boyfriends for longer than we can count and that surely makes him top-tier Ken material.

Lance Gross

Photo: Getty Images Ivan Apfel

Not tapping in Lance Gross as one of our Kens would be doing a detrimental disservice and we can’t have that, now can we?

Morris Chestnut

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Perfection is a strong word, but when it comes to Morris “Been 90s Fine His Entire Life” Chestnut—it seems fitting. Other Kens better take note.

Jalen Hurts

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola

Philly Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts clearly took a play out of Morris Chestnut’s “90s Fine” playbook and you know what—a little healthy Ken-petition never hurt nobody.

Keith Powers

Photo: Getty Images Jason Koerner for Netflix

Actor/model Keith Powers Ken-ergy goes all the way back to the days of Tumblr which means he’s been paving the way for years now. And for that we thank him!

Algee Smith

Photo: Getty Images CHRIS DELMAS/AFP

If we’re honest—the minute we saw Algee Smith sing “Sensitivity” on The New Edition Story, we already knew he would have our hearts and perfect Ken-netic energy.

Damson Idris

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video

Damson? More like “damn, son!” (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.) Of course we had to include our favorite saint on our list of Kens.

Aldis Hodge

Photo: Getty Images Suzan Moore/PA

Mentally, we’re still stuck on how perfect Aldis Hodge was as Hawkman in Black Adam. A Ken who flies and looks this handsome? What more could we ask for?

Aaron Pierre

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

To be honest, we’re still waiting on Aaron Pierre to invite us swimming on those ocean blue-green eyes of his. After all, Ken’s job is beach, right? We need to take a dive ASAP.

Alfred Enoch

Photo: Getty Images David M. Benett/Dave Benett for dunhill

There’s only one word that immediately comes to mind when we think of How to Get Away With Murder star Alfred Enoch as Ken and that word is ABSOLUTELY.

Idris Elba

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Moore/PA Images

Much like Morris Chestnut, Idris Elba is an OG Ken that walked so all these newer ones could run—but that doesn’t mean we love him any less.

Larenz Tate

Photo: Getty Images Dan Steinberg/Billboard/Penske Media

This Ken (a.k.a. Larenz Tate) has been aging backwards since we first laid eyes on him and if that isn’t supreme Ken-ergy—we don’t know what is!

Method Man

Photo: Getty Images NBC / Contributor

Method Man may not be hip-hop’s first Ken but he’s certainly our favorite one.

Winston Duke

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Spicer for Atlantis The Royal

Winston “Thick Daddy Ken” Duke. Oh how we love you, let us count the ways.

Shemar Moore

Photo: Getty Images Paul Archuleta

From the 90’s till now, Shemar Moore has been a heartthrob Ken for many a women and it doesn’t seem like he’s gonna let up on that any time soon.

Omari Hardwick

Photo: Getty Images Michael Tran / AFP

The “power” that Omari Hardwick has definitely solidifies him to be on our Ken list. Full stop.

Boris Kodjoe

Photo: Getty Images Michael Buckner/Variety

Boris Kodjoe has supreme Kenergy and this will not argued.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

New Black TV Shows You Need to Watch This Spring

New Black TV Shows You Need to Watch This Spring

Kerry Washington, Chase Infiniti and more are starring in hot new shows that you need to tap into right now! Let’s check out more …
The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The best Black fashion we saw at the iHeartRadio Music Awards …
Breaking: Tiger Woods Involved in a Rollover Crash in FL

Breaking: Tiger Woods Involved in a Rollover Crash in FL

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods was just involved in a rollover crash in Florida almost five years after a previous car accident almost cost his life …
A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic's ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic’s ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino TikToker just said the quiet part out loud, explaining how Hispanics are indeed racist towards Black people and exactly how they do it in front of you …
Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University has just announced a new Cardi B-inspired Hip Hop course for students, and we have the tea! …
Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping 'Coming to America' From Getting Scrapped

Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping ‘Coming to America’ From Getting Scrapped

‘Coming to America’ may be a beloved cult classic now, but according to star Arsenio Hall, it almost didn’t see the light of day. Now we know what turned things around! …
Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Druski is not avoiding controversy. He just understands the culture well enough to get it right and build an audience of millions …
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show's Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show’s Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay speaks out on the current season’s major scandal. Let’s break it down …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

Texas businesses owned by women and people of color just filed a landmark lawsuit against the State …
Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Despite historic gains in degrees and entrepreneurship, nearly 600,000 Black women were “economically sidelined” in 2025 alone, according to Fortune. Credentials and hard work have not shielded them from glaring pay gaps, bias or stalled advancement …
Here's a Full Timeline of Trump's Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

Here’s a Full Timeline of Trump’s Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

If you’re not caught up with the latest beef between Trump and Letitia James, don’t worry. We have you covered with everything to know since 2022 …
HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

A new study shows that the HBCU experience may actually be connected to a lifetime of well-being …
Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

New details from Rihanna are emerging about her unfortunate home shooting from Let’s get into it …
Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on 'Conservative Women in America'

Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on ‘Conservative Women in America’

Fan-favorite comedian Druski transforms into a satirical “Christian conservative” character, sparking millions of views and a heated online debate …
82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross's Style Through the Years

82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross’s Style Through the Years

As ‘The Boss’ turns another year older, we thought it’d be fitting to revel in the fabulous fashions of the legendary singer over the years. Let’s take a look! …
TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

After stumbling across Jill Scott’s family photos in Goodwill, one TikToker user has returned the precious memories back to the singer …
New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

The divorce settlement details between ‘RHOA’ star Kandi Burruss and ex Todd Tucker have been released. Let’s take a look! …
Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Professor: It gave us everything we needed in 2020 and nothing we need now …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …