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GQ Reimagines Men of the Year: From Power to Presence

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 11:04 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter

Will Welch on the Evolution of GQ’s Men of the Year Franchise

When GQ first launched its “Men of the Year” franchise in the early 2000s, the award was a glossy celebration of the most high‑profile men in politics, business, entertainment and sport. The inaugural list included icons such as Barack Obama, Tom Ford and Michael Jordan, and the event quickly became a marquee moment on the magazine’s editorial calendar. Now, with a fresh editorial vision, the franchise is being re‑imagined for a more diverse, digital‑first audience. In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, GQ’s own Will Welch – long a senior editor on the magazine’s style and culture pages – lays out how the “Men of the Year” program is shifting its focus, format and impact.

From “Power” to “Presence”

Welch explains that the original premise of the award was “to recognize men who had built the most powerful empires,” a definition that was both limiting and, in the past few years, “increasingly out of step with our readers.” “Our audience has grown to be far more nuanced,” he says. “They’re not just looking for who’s made the most money; they want to know who’s made the most difference, who’s been authentic, who’s challenged the status quo.” This shift has prompted GQ to broaden its eligibility criteria: the new 2024 roster will feature men from a wider spectrum of fields – from technology innovators like Elon Musk and venture capitalist Aileen Lee to social activists such as Dr. Mona Hanna‑Ali and LGBTQ+ icon Billy Porter.

Welch notes that while the “Men of the Year” name remains unchanged, the underlying message has evolved: “It’s less about the top of the ladder and more about the breadth of influence.” The updated criteria explicitly prioritize diversity in age, race, sexual orientation and cultural background – a move that critics of the franchise’s previous “white‑male‑centric” lineup had long called for.

A New Format for a New Generation

The 2024 event will be held in a hybrid format, combining a live, in‑person gala at the Ritz‑Carlton in New York with a simultaneous livestream on GQ’s social media channels and YouTube. “We’re leveraging the power of video to make the ceremony more interactive and engaging,” Welch explains. “The audience can vote in real time, ask questions, and see behind‑the‑scenes footage of the nominees preparing for the event.”

In addition to the coveted “Men of the Year” trophy, the revamped program will feature several category awards: “Culture & Creativity,” “Business & Innovation,” “Sports & Leadership” and “Community & Impact.” Each category will be judged by a panel of industry experts and supplemented by public voting on GQ’s digital platform. The new format also introduces a “Hall of Fame” category that will honor men who have consistently impacted society over a sustained period.

The Editorial Process, Re‑imagined

Welch says the selection process has become more data‑driven. “We’ve integrated analytics to track public sentiment, social media engagement and trending conversations,” he shares. “Our editorial team then cross‑checks these metrics with an internal rubric that assesses legacy, authenticity and social impact.” The criteria also incorporate the “GQ Authenticity Index,” a proprietary tool that scores nominees on the originality of their contributions and the degree to which they have challenged societal expectations.

“What was once a top‑down nomination process is now a conversation between the magazine’s curators, the community and the nominees themselves,” Welch adds. “We now reach out to the nominees to hear their own stories, their passions and the hurdles they’ve overcome.”

Philanthropy and Purpose

Perhaps most notably, the franchise will partner with a new philanthropic initiative in 2024: GQ Men of the Year will launch the “Impact Initiative,” a $500,000 donation pool for men‑focused charities chosen by the award recipients. The initiative is an extension of GQ’s commitment to “giving back.” The 2024 winners will vote on the charities that receive the donation, allowing the recipients to directly influence the cause they care about most.

“We want to create a platform that not only celebrates men’s achievements, but also empowers them to support the next generation,” Welch says. “It’s about turning the spotlight into a catalyst for change.”

Addressing Past Criticisms

The franchise’s legacy has not been without controversy. Earlier this year, several commentators questioned GQ’s decision to award the honor to the “Man of the Year” in the business category – an award that critics claimed was too narrow and did not reflect the magazine’s diverse readership. The 2024 overhaul is a direct response to those concerns. Welch acknowledges that GQ has been “misaligned with the values of many of our readers” in the past, but is confident that the changes will restore the franchise’s relevance.

“We’re very proud of the evolution,” Welch says. “The goal is to celebrate real, authentic influence in a way that speaks to all of our readers, regardless of gender, race or background.”

The Future of GQ

Looking beyond the awards, Welch is optimistic about GQ’s broader editorial strategy. He believes that the Men of the Year franchise can act as a hub for other content, from in‑depth interviews to short documentary series that follow award recipients through their daily lives. “We want to tell the stories that happen behind the headlines,” he explains. “The franchise will help us weave a narrative that goes beyond the glossy pages into the real world.”

With the 2024 ceremony scheduled for September, the press is buzzing over who will be named the new “Men of the Year.” And with Welch at the helm of the editorial team, the franchise promises to be more inclusive, interactive and purpose‑driven than ever before.

For more information about the 2024 GQ Men of the Year franchise, see the official GQ website’s dedicated page.