ABearNamedTroy Is the Queer Artist Shutting Down Toxic Masculinity With His New Song "Jeez"

While toxic masculinity continues to be a problem in today's world, thankfully artists such as Troy Solomon, also known as ABearNamedTroy, are challenging misogyny and what people think what it means to be a man.

Last year, the West Hollywood-based musician made headlines for his single "Thicck," a body positivity anthem for the ages. Now he's back with his next track and music video for "Jeez," a bright, dance-y number dedicated to shutting down toxic masculinity. The video showcases the "Mr. Center of the Universe Pageant," where a gaggle of dudes show off their various "talents" that contribute to today's patriarchy. Unfortunately for them, the panel of judges isn't loving what they have to show off. Teen Vogue has the exclusive premiere of the music video and also caught up with Troy to hear a bit more about the song's message. Watch the video below.

Teen Vogue: Tell me a little about the song "Jeez" and the video's concept. Did you know right away you wanted to have it set at a male pageant?

I think last year's biggest realization, at least for me, was that toxic masculinity is very much still present in our culture and is the root cause of basically everything that's terrible. I wanted to do a song that was playful and pop, but also had a strong message and addresses a topic that isn't often addressed by other cisgender men. The video concept was actually my fiance's idea — he was like "what if you did a male beauty pageant and all the contestants were just terrible dudes and their talents were all the awful things toxic men do: mansplaining, manspreading, expecting you to just automatically think they're funny, etc." I freaked out and was like "THIS IS IT!"

TV: Your first music video, "Thicck," was all about body positivity. For this new track, it's all about tackling toxic masculinity. What drew you to this topic? How do you view the two in relation to each other?

Troy Solomon: "Jeez" was actually the first song I ever wrote. I use the word a lot, which I know I picked up from watching countless hours of The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. One day my friend was telling me a story about how during a work meeting her boss blatantly said she wouldn't understand the humor in something because she was a woman. I felt icky and grossed out and my honest immediate response was, "Jeeeez". Basically, that was the moment I knew I wanted to write a song called "Jeez" as a response to the hundreds of stories I had heard regarding misogyny. How it manifests may vary but it's apparent that misogyny is present in all cultures, generations, races, and communities. It can be very blatant in the way men treat women in the workplace or in the home but it can also be more subtle.

For example, as a gay man, I see it all the time with men in the gay community in how they view their bodies and the value they place on masculinity. So many times I've been rejected by men for being "too fat" or "too feminine." Society essentially has decided being fat or being a woman or feminine is considered weak. We use phrases like "don't be such a girl" or "I indulged over the holidays, but now I'm gonna get back on track". These phrases and ways of thinking just perpetuate societal norms rooted in misogyny. That your value as a person is directly correlated to physical strength and outward appearance. I don't think we can have body shaming without misogyny so the two intersect organically. And being a fat gay dude that likes to wear nail polish and makeup I definitely experience that toxicity from a bunch of different angles.

TV: All the judges are also activists that fight for things such as body positivity and trans rights. How did you go about casting these people?

TS: I knew from the very beginning I wanted the judges to be fierce women that were doing amazing work within the communities that they are a part of. Each of them brought a different perspective, importance, and presence to the project and I think you can feel that when you're watching it. Arisce Wanzer is a phenomenal model and transgender rights activist. Alex LaRosa is an incredibly talented body positive model and blogger who started the #VisiblyPlusSize movement on Instagram. Alex Michael May is one of the most brilliant creatives I've seen on Instagram—she's just a bundle of light and positivity and is literally everyone's body positive BFF. And Bevin Branlandingham is one of the most compassionate and smartest people I know and is changing the way we see, move, and value our bodies through her Fat Kid Dance Party. Honestly, everyone in the video, including "The Fuckbois," none of which are actually toxic, are my friends and I couldn't be more grateful for such supportive and truly talented people in my life.

TV: You're wearing so much fun makeup in the video and you're always wearing amazing outfits on Instagram. When did you start getting into more creative ways to express gender through beauty and fashion?

TS: OH EM GEE thank you so much! My babe Lauren Lillien did my makeup for the video and she's a makeup genius. She was so collaborative and creative but definitely has her own style that she imprinted into the look. I think when I finally came out of the closet in 2012 is when I started using fashion and beauty as a way to express myself. I went through lots of different phases over the years but my love for anything sparkly and glittery has pretty much always remained. I think what we wear can be such a great tool for self-expression and self-discovery. I honestly didn't know certain things about myself until I put highlighter on for the first time or wore my first pair of heels. I'm a really creative person and I find fashion and beauty to be another extension of my creativity so the fact that I get to make myself happy wearing fun things while also sending across such an important message about breaking down gender norms and stereotypes is so humbling and special to me.

TV: What sort of music should we expect from you next?

TS: I am so excited to release more music. I have a handful already sort of waiting down the pipeline, all of which remain cohesive, but definitely, have a different sound. One is a little bit dance club, one is a little bit country/pop, one is a little bit '70s funk/pop. I really like experimenting with different sounds within this pop space and I can't wait for you all to hear.

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