Why do people like thirst traps?

Ah, the thirst trap: the social media post that makes your comment section blow up with the likes of "you're so hot" "🔥🔥🔥" and "OKKKK."

Jenna Bush Hager shot her first thirst trap on Wednesday to celebrate hitting 1 million followers on the Hoda & Jenna Instagram account — but she's got plenty of company.

A thirst trap, in the most formal of definitions, is a sexy or flirty photo meant to elicit a viewer's attention. When you break down the phrase, it makes a little more sense: you're trying to trap someone into admitting their thirst (attraction) to you because of your jaw-dropping post (or, posts. We aren't judging.)

A thirst trap is always clearly posted or sent for the attention and admiration of one or more people — but is often done coyly enough that it airs more on the side of flirty than explicit. (Usually.)

How does one take a thirst trap?

You might put on the perfect outfit and give your look some extra oomph. Or a thirst trap could be au naturale, giving off an "effortlessly hot" effect. Examples of things that may help you achieve this: golden hour lighting, being fresh off the beach, a post-workout selfie or a "no-makeup" makeup look.

But, more than anything, a thirst trap is all about being confident — because as we know, there's nothing hotter than being your authentic self.

In case you need some physical examples of what a thirst trap may look like, we've rounded up some celebrities who've mastered the art of the thirst trap — and some of them may surprise you.

Jenna Bush Hager

As a promise to fans of Hoda & Jenna, Jenna said that if they reached 1 million followers on their Instagram account, she would take thirst trap photos and post them — and she delivered.

Jenna took these photos in a setting where she felt most comfortable: surrounded by books. Hoda assisted by blowing a hairdryer in Jenna's face, giving a "wind-blown" look to the photo, as Jenna experimented with different faces and poses. The final picture? Incredible.

Martha Stewart

Contrary to what you may believe at first, thirst traps have no relation to water — unless you're bringing up Martha Stewart, that is.

The queen of lifestyle is known to post a thirst trap here and there on her Instagram, but this shot of her striking a glam pose in her East Hampton pool takes the cake. While her caption focuses more on the specifics of how the pool was built, we're just zeroing in on those pursed lips and sensual gaze. It's Martha's world and we're just living in it.

Jennifer Lopez

JLo, our favorite triple threat, posted this saucy photo of her by the pool (sensing a theme?). There's no denying — JLo does, and always will, look amazing. We're convinced she doesn't age at all.

Leslie Jordan

Pro tip: posting a vintage thirst trap photo is also very acceptable — take it from 66-year-old actor Leslie Jordan.

He posted this vintage photo from the 80's of him with a "6-pack" in front of a vintage car. We'd say that's pretty sexy!

Lizzo

Although this probably doesn't come as a shock, Lizzo might just be the queen of the thirst trap. As a frequent thirst trap poster, she has her poses, fits and faces nailed down to a science. It goes without saying that Lizzo pretty much always understands the assignment.

Channing Tatum

OK, we get it — you were in "Magic Mike." All jokes aside, Channing Tatum takes it to the next level with one thirst trap, but in the image below, shows that even a photo taken by a child can be a thirst trap.

Tan France

Take notes from Tan: you can dedicate your thirst trap to a friend!

In this photo from Queer Eye style icon Tan France, he dedicates his thirst trap to an important cause: JVN's birthday.

Anna Marie Tendler

Tendler, ex-wife of comedian John Mulaney, proves that even the most profound photos can have sex appeal. For those who appreciate the finer things in life, and want their thirst traps to reflect as such, take notes from our elegant friend.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum, known for his hilarious one-liners and cadence, proves that he's not just a one-trick pony. In his caption, he references this photo as a "reward" for making sure his fans are registered to vote. We'd consider it as such.

The not-so-subtle art of thirst trapping is perhaps social media’s most enduring trend and one with which many of us have a love-hate relationship. Thirst traps have satisfied our need for attention and validation for many years now. But while the name remains the same, the practice of posting thirsty activity on social media is evolving.

While we still see many nods to traditional thirst traps (cue sexy, full cleavage lingerie shots) more and more people are adopting their own take on the trend, and are doing it with self-love and self-acceptance in mind, rather than the validation they will receive from others. 

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Influencers have been spruiking self-love thirst traps for a while now, and it has become a pervasive trend. I never thought I’d be one to partake in this kind of activity on my usually curated grid of landscape snaps, but recently I’ve begun to understand the allure of a saucy Instagram post. 

My need to post thirsty pics genuinely comes from a glimmer of self-appreciation, as well as a newly adopted lack of regard for others’ opinions of me. Is this now the main intention behind thirst traps in 2021, and if so, what complexities and vanities accompany this way of presenting oneself on social media?

How did the age-old thirst trap come to be?

Thirst traps have existed since the dawn of social media, entering the online scene alongside the emergence of Instagram, Snapchat and dating apps. The term ‘thirst trap’ was made official when defined by Urban Dictionary in 2011 as “any statement used to intentionally create attention or ‘thirst’”. 

The definition was later fleshed out to include any provocative post that intends to entice an array of compliments, praise, or obsessive lust. As you’re probably aware, we see thirst traps most commonly in the form of disembodied torsos, exposed booties and cleavage and seductive poses.

Thirst traps are an inevitable byproduct of social media – they came about as a result of our innate need for validation as humans. We quickly took full advantage of platforms that allowed us to share and interact with others and showcase ourselves in whatever light (both literally and metaphorically) we pleased.

As creators, we carefully craft these images to satisfy both the male and female gaze. Taunting our most parched followers, thirst traps act as an ice-cold beverage to break the heat on a 40-degree day.

We trial and test different looks, taking note of the public’s reactions, and most of us are familiar with the spike in serotonin that occurs as we watch the likes and flattering comments roll in on a new post. But is this external validation really why we still thirst trap in 2021?

What is the public perception of thirst traps?

The early 2010s were a fun exploration into the arousing nature of thirst traps, but it didn’t pass without scrutiny. Many users of social media would have (and some still do) categorise thirst trapping as a sad, desperate plea for praise. 

This perception can be linked to the idea that those who actively seek validation in a public domain (so essentially the majority of us) are less worthy of this affirmation. This is where desirability politics come into play. 

According to Everyday Feminist, this debate highlights how the stance on thirst trapping as anti-feminist is rooted in the belief that people should value humility over self-confidence. 

But this concept no longer holds true now that humans’ social lives have extended to the online world. Our need to be desired and our need to belong is only heightened on social media. As a result, thirst trapping elicits a certain kind of superficial self-pleasure, bolstering our confidence and self-esteem. But if we truly believe that thirst traps are pathetic pleas for recognition, why are we still making and consuming them?

What is this new and improved way of thirst trapping?

While the images themselves remain much the same, the underlying intention behind thirst traps in recent times has undergone an obvious shift. It still does come down to our need for validation, but this validation no longer rests in other people’s approval of our physical appearance, but within the realm of self-love.

Instagram’s recent change that allows likes and comments to be switched off is yet another nod to the fact that external validation is losing its relevance in our online environments. If I were to go ahead and post a thirst trap this week, it would simply come down to how I feel about myself, not how I envision others will perceive me. 

Lillian Ahenkan (AKA Flex Mami), co-host of the popular culture podcast, Bobo and Flex, recently discussed this notion of validation in relation to the rise of “self-love culture” on social media. “I can definitely understand why [our] self-love journey has been cooked if [we’re] just trying to take [ourselves] at face value… How [we choose] to improve [ourselves] aligns with the way that society also wants [us] to improve. So society says… we like people who are perceived to be valuable, we like people who add value.”

But despite the difficulties the self-love journey can present, we are seeing a new style of thirst trap cropping up on social media that focuses on self-appreciation and body positivity rather than stereotypical physical attractiveness. Australian influencers including Kath Ebbs, Jadé Tuncdoruk, and feminist icon Abbie Chatfield (who pioneered thirst traps with a message) are only a few examples of this change.

But this is not to say that the need for validation and the pressure to look a certain way has simply gone out the window. The majority of our activity on social media is propelled by our underlying desire for acceptance. How we present and express ourselves online, whether that be in the form of a thirst trap for physical admiration or a thirst trap for mental positivity, helps bolster our self-esteem. 

The difference is that many of us now thirst trap with our own validation and acceptance at the forefront of our minds, and if our saucy posts garner likes and comments from others, well, that’s just the icing on the cake.

If you’re struggling with body image issues or eating disorders, you can call the Butterfly National Helpline at 1800 33 4673 for free and confidential support, or email or chat to them online here.