It's a tale as old as time: Conventionally attractive people in movies doing their thing, blissfully ignorant to the laws and rules that normal people must follow. Wearing a weird outfit? Don't worry—someone will pay for your makeover that would make Tan France in Queer Eye look like an amateur. Never seen studying? No sweat—you'll still get into Yale...with a scholarship. (God really does have favorites.) And no matter what? You'll probably drive a Jeep Wrangler.
First thing first, have it on record. I have nothing against a car that honestly deserved an Oscar nomination for its supporting role in Jurassic Park. It's just that, logistically, there is no way everyone was able to beep bop around their coastal town (somehow a body of water was always nearby?) and not be expected to get booked on a criminal charge against, um, being a teenager.
Most people's first cars were of the hand-me-down variety, or from the dynasty of Mr. Henry Ford. I had both of these. My 2005 Ford Focus and I went everywhere together. And since I was a dramatic and ungrateful 16-year-old, I named it Kevin after the oldest Jonas brother, because while I did like Kevin, he was not my OTP. Why the harsh criticism, you may be asking? Because I wanted a Jeep so bad.
I'd seen my childhood crushes, from Sean Faris' character Steve in Sleepover to Jake McDorman as Raymond in Aquamarine, zoom around town, windows down, breaking hearts (read: mine) and taking names. Even style icons like Cher in Clueless made a car known for its talents in off-roading become the most expensive accessory to have that wasn't the latest It bag. Demi Moore's Jules in St. Elmo's Fire even drove one as a post-grad from Georgetown, which now makes me ask: Student loans, who?!
Hot people and cars without doors are the bread and butter of coming-of-age tales, and while there are some exceptions outside of this age bracket—like Nicholas Parker in The Parent Trap or Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls—most of the time, our favorite teen heartthrobs weren't in the driver's seat unless it was in a Jeep. In the name of hot people history, I had to find whether this was a coincidence or something a bunch of Hollywood executives got together and decided on.
She’s All That (1999)
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
Related Stories
-
It’ll Be Usher—and Kim Kardashian?—Headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show Next Year“It’s an honor of a lifetime,” he said.
-
Princess Kate Achieves “Superhero Status” for Holding Her Own Alongside Prince William and Princess Anne in Podcast Appearance, Expert Says
It’s a revelation of “how far she has come as one of the key power players in the Firm.”
-
Royal Expert Says Prince Harry Turned Down King Charles’ Invitation to Join Him at Balmoral
“For Harry, this was a missed opportunity.”
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
The cast and crew are pausing the hit show in support of the writers' strike.
-
Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo
That's some type of commitment.
-
The 'Barbie' Movie Poster Is Already This Year's Most Iconic Meme
Your daily dose of internet comedy.
-
Documentaries About Black History to Educate Yourself With
Take your allyship a step further.
-
The 50 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
