A social media trend featuring shirtless young men supporting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has gained traction in Brazil. Kursiv LifeStyle explores how bare-chested photos became part of the election campaign and why they are generating buzz online.
The trend, dubbed «Gostosos com Lula,» or «Hotties for Lula,» involves participants posting shirtless photos to show their support for Brazil’s incumbent president.
How the trend began
One of the faces of the trend is 24-year-old Israel Augusto, from São Paulo. On Oct. 11, he appeared shirtless at a pro-democracy rally, climbing onto the structure of a bus stop. He wore a red cloth over his head and held flags supporting Lula and Palestine.
Photos of the young man spread across social media, where users dubbed him «Gostoso da Paulista,» or «Hottie from Paulista,» referring to one of São Paulo’s main thoroughfares. His Instagram account gained more than 300,000 followers in just a few days.
Augusto continued posting content in support of the president, while other young men began sharing similar photos, helping the trend gain momentum.
Lula himself joined in, leaving supportive comments on participants’ Instagram posts from his personal account.
Lula wins a second-round vote
The rally took place on Oct. 11, drawing thousands of participants who gathered to advocate for democracy ahead of the presidential runoff.
Read also: New research busts the myth that female leaders are less corrupt.
On Oct. 25, Lula won re-election, securing 51.79% of the valid vote. His opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, received 48.21%.
