Images of Brad Pitt and George Clooney may make plenty of moms drool, but what about the unlikely crushes we might not confess we’re jonesing for? Allow me to say out loud what we all know you’re secretly thinking - my list of moms' secret star crushes.
1. Zac Efron
Mr. Efron started as a child star, and for some he will forever be the high school basketball jock in High School Musical. But just watch anything else that he’s grown into and you’ll quickly realize that the 26-year-old heartthrob has matured into a man capable of stealing hearts of all ages. As a friend recently admitted on Instagram, “He makes me feel like a dirty old woman.”
2. Josh Hutcherson
This Hunger Games Romeo seems like the unlikely winner of the Peeta/Gale duo, but his devotion to Katniss and his rugged good looks bring him near the top of this mom crush list. Hutcherson, 21, finds fans in women of all ages and the adoring/adorable nature of his character certainly helps.
3. Alex Pettyfer
This teen book series star stole the show in I Am Number Four and captured hearts with his smoldering eyes in Endless Love. Pettyfer, 24, has become the poster child for the newest teen series, but you might also remember him in another flick, Magic Mike. Oh, you’ve never seen it? Me either.
4. Aziz Ansari
As one of the hilarious additions to Parks & Recreation, Ansari, 31, shines as Tom Haverford, an underachieving government official who insists on giving his favorite foods nicknames (fried chicken = fry fry chicky chick). He is the crush who seems even better looking the funnier he gets.
5. Jonah Hill
The comedian turned serious actor, Jonah Hill is a contender. Since he’s gotten more fit and upgraded his sartorial game, Hill, 30, reminds me of that guy in high school who was decent looking, but his personality and sense of humor made him even more attractive. His ability to step outside of the comic role and do it well also plays in his favor.
6. Dayo Okeniyi
The 26-year-old Nigerian-born actor captured our attention in The Hunger Games as Thresh from District 11. Allied with the beloved Rue, he spares Katniss Everdeens’ life and shows the softer side of his gruff exterior. Watch for him in the upcoming Terminator: Genisys. His killer smile and baby face make him the perfect addition to our list.
7 and 8. Will Arnett and Adam Sandler
A few other crushes worth mentioning include funny man Will Arnett, who stars as Vernon Fenwick in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remake, and a more grown-up Adam Sandler in the romantic comedy, Blended. Noticeably absent from the list is the swoon-worthy Ansel Elgort of The Fault in Our Stars fame. At 20, he is just not old enough to make the cut. I’ll leave the crushing on him to my 14-year-old niece.
What mom crush would you rather not admit you have?
Samantha Schultz, blogger-professor-freelancer, started blogging more than six years ago and continues to grow her online presence with her family blog, The Peanuts Gang, and her work with Fandango. When she's not writing or chasing her two boys around, you can usually find her looking for adventure and wasting countless hours catching up on all things pop culture.
