On Oct. 3, the University Program Council (UPC) held auditions for most performative male on campus. Contestants nonchalantly dressed in their best vintage clothes, packed literary fiction novels in their tote bags and brought their matcha to the Reilly Room to vie for the title of “most performative male.” The term “performative male” is defined by Merriam Webster as someone who engages insincerely in certain activities or behaviors to appear as a feminist or safe person. These men may even adopt a specific set of interests — like Sofia Coppola’s filmography or Faye Webster’s music. This is the second time UPC has hosted this contest, with the first event occurring in November 2025.
Matcha is the performative male’s drink of choice. Photo by Mason Buysse.
Isabelle Hurst uses a tote bag to haul feminist literature. Photo by Mason Buysse.
Judges Keira Marshall and Maggie Dempsey decide who is the most performative of all. Photo by Mason Buysse.
Conor Melody accessorized his thrifted button-down and tote bag with a stuffed animal. Photo by Mason Buysse.
With a pencil tucked behind an ear and headphones blasting beabadoobee, Madison Adams-Bailey took home the win. Photo by Mason Buysse.
“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”; more like, “if you give a performative male an audience.” Photo by Mason Buysse.