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
Meet the Masterminds Behind the Beats: Celebrating Black Music Producers by Region

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

The Most Influential Black Leaders and Celebs Share 100 Life-Changing Lessons

The Most Influential Black Leaders and Celebs Share 100 Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
Black Stars Who Shined on the 2026 African-American Film Critics Association Red Carpet

Black Stars Who Shined on the 2026 African-American Film Critics Association Red Carpet

The 2026 African-American Film Critics Association boasted more than its fair share of notable Black celebs. Let’s get into their red carpet looks! …
Detroit Police Shot a Mother Six Times, Now She's Coming For a Big Payday

Detroit Police Shot a Mother Six Times, Now She’s Coming For a Big Payday

What started as a routine traffic stop for Tracey Allen ended in a nightmare after a Detroit police officer shot her six times …
After Trump Uninvited Gov. Wes Moore From White House Dinner, These White Governors Take a Stand

After Trump Uninvited Gov. Wes Moore From White House Dinner, These White Governors Take a Stand

Trump has excluded all Democratic governors from the traditional White House meeting, breaking the longstanding bipartisan tradition …
Candace Owens Trashes the MAGA-Friendly Kid Rock Super Bowl Halftime Show, and It's Not Pretty

Candace Owens Trashes the MAGA-Friendly Kid Rock Super Bowl Halftime Show, and It’s Not Pretty

Candace Owens bashes the Turning Point USA show by calling it a scam and “corny capitalism.” …
Halle Berry Fiercely Responds to Reporter's Comment About Her Age -- and Phew!

Halle Berry Fiercely Responds to Reporter’s Comment About Her Age — and Phew!

Halle Berry may be a veteran in Hollywood and used to dealing with the media. But there’s one thing she’s absolutely done with and now, she sounding the alarm on it! …
What Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Says About Who Shapes Today's Mainstream

What Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Says About Who Shapes Today’s Mainstream

From record-breaking viewership to a fully Spanish performance, Bad Bunny’s halftime show didn’t just entertain — it sent a clear signal about where cultural influence lives today …
NY Principal Under Fire After Audit Discovers Misappropriated Funds

NY Principal Under Fire After Audit Discovers Misappropriated Funds

Wyandanch Memorial High School community members were shocked after the principal became the subject of a massive financial audit …
A Black Man in Virginia Purchased a House, Later Realizing His Ancestors Were Once Enslaved on the Property

A Black Man in Virginia Purchased a House, Later Realizing His Ancestors Were Once Enslaved on the Property

Fred Miller bought a home in Virginia and later discovered that his family’s history of enslavement was tied to the very property …
Why Lewis Hamilton, Kim Kardashian Sighting Is Sparking Concerns of the 'Kardashian Curse?'

Why Lewis Hamilton, Kim Kardashian Sighting Is Sparking Concerns of the ‘Kardashian Curse?’

F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton has garnered a good name for himself thanks to his talents and philanthropic endeavors. Which makes his potential partnership with Kim Kardashian that much more puzzling …
Before You Bother Watching, Here's a Recap of Everything from MAGA's All-American Super Bowl Halftime

Before You Bother Watching, Here’s a Recap of Everything from MAGA’s All-American Super Bowl Halftime

I watched Turning Point USA’s “All American” halftime show so you don’t have to… You’re welcome …
The Apartment Brawl in Houston That Left One Girl Dead and Why a 10-Year-Old Claims Self-Defense

The Apartment Brawl in Houston That Left One Girl Dead and Why a 10-Year-Old Claims Self-Defense

A 10-year-old allegedly admitted to stabbing Riley DeArmas, 13, during a brawl near a Houston apartment complex. But he’s claiming self-defense …
Veteran D.C. Reporter Leon Harris Shares an Update Following a Terrifying On-Air Scare

Veteran D.C. Reporter Leon Harris Shares an Update Following a Terrifying On-Air Scare

After a terrifying on-air scare led him to focus on his struggles with alcohol abuse, veteran journalist Leon Harris is sharing an update …
White Olympic Figure Skater Praised For a Dangerous Backflip -- That a Black Woman Was Penalized For Decades Ago

White Olympic Figure Skater Praised For a Dangerous Backflip — That a Black Woman Was Penalized For Decades Ago

Before Ilia Malinin “made history” with a backflip, Surya Bonaly — a Black Olympic figure skater — risked everything performing the same move in 1998 …
Kendrick Lamar Set the Super Bowl Halftime Show Bar, Bad Bunny Just Raised It

Kendrick Lamar Set the Super Bowl Halftime Show Bar, Bad Bunny Just Raised It

Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny created back-to-back halftime shows that centered Black and Brown people, not white comfort …
The Story Behind Whitney Houston’s Iconic 1991 Super Bowl Look -- and Coco Jones’ Beautiful Tribute 35 Years Later

The Story Behind Whitney Houston’s Iconic 1991 Super Bowl Look — and Coco Jones’ Beautiful Tribute 35 Years Later

Coco Jones delivered a soul-stirring rendition of the Black National Anthem at the Super Bowl in a look that paid tribute to Whitney Houston’s 1991 performance …
Why Chris Brown Is Getting Dragged to the Moon Over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show

Why Chris Brown Is Getting Dragged to the Moon Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

While Bad Bunny’s recent performance was praised by some, it apparently didn’t go over well with Chris Brown. And now he’s getting talked about! …
America's Lone Black Governor Slams Trump for Governor's Dinner Snub

America’s Lone Black Governor Slams Trump for Governor’s Dinner Snub

Wes Moore– the only Black governor in America– was uninvited from Trump’s annual dinner… Now, he’s calling out the administration for the racist decision …
All the Symbolism You Missed in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

All the Symbolism You Missed in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Let’s get into it: Beneath the spectacle was a carefully constructed narrative about Puerto Rico, colonialism, and who gets included in the idea of “America.” …
White Ohio Man Who Killed Black Uber Driver Thinking She Scammed Him Learns His Fate

White Ohio Man Who Killed Black Uber Driver Thinking She Scammed Him Learns His Fate

A scam lured Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, a beloved Black Uber driver, to William Brock’s home in Ohio. Two years after killing her, he learned his fate …