A former Hollywood actor has amassed over 11 million social media followers by promoting misogynistic and hyper-masculine content, earning him the title of Latin America’s biggest manosphere influencer. Luis Castilleja, now known as El Temach, has transformed from a free-wheeling creative to a figurehead for the manosphere movement. His sister, Alex, says his transformation is shocking and they no longer speak.
El Temach’s rise to fame began in 2020 when he started posting content focused on male self-development, but his message quickly “twisted” into something else, according to Alex. He began to blame women for the difficulties his male followers were navigating, and his content became mirrored in his behavior towards his sister. El Temach’s followers have tripled in the past three years, and experts say this growth is fueled by the relatively recent gains in gender equality in regions such as Latin America.
Manosphere Influencers
El Temach is not alone in his rise to fame. A recent investigation found that 15 other influencers, based in South and East Asia, Latin America, and Africa, have seen their followings triple in the past three years. These influencers, including Andrew Kibe, a household name in Kenya, promote male self-empowerment and misogyny on social media, earning large sums of money from their platforms. Both El Temach and Kibe deny their content is misogynistic, with Kibe disputing the existence of the concept.
The impact of this content on consumers is significant. Two Gen Z followers, one in Kenya and one in Mexico, gave researchers uncensored access to several years of their social media activity, revealing their personal journeys into the manosphere. The data shows that they began by liking and commenting on content about cars, fitness, and self-development, but soon became engrossed in manosphere content, liking thousands of videos from dozens of creators.
Broader Implications
The rise of manosphere influencers has significant implications for society, particularly in regions where gender equality is still a relatively new concept. Experts say that this environment is fueling men’s hunger for manosphere content, which can have damaging effects on individuals and communities. As the manosphere movement continues to grow, it is essential to understand its impact and to address the underlying issues that are driving its popularity.
The story of El Temach and other manosphere influencers serves as a reminder that the spread of misogynistic and hyper-masculine content can have far-reaching consequences, and it is crucial to consider the broader significance of this phenomenon in the context of modern society.
