Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
You’re not alone if you shook your head and laughed after watching the recent internet-blazing TikTok short video of actor Jared Leto “conquering” a whopping 10-feet of boujee hotel façade in Germany. An actual movie star/rock star climbs a few feet of fancy jugs and suddenly it’s gone viral? Meanwhile, my mother recently attempted a stunt like this in my hometown and she received at least three dirty looks and then someone called the cops. The man may have washboard abs and have taken the lead role of my teenage dreams, but I’m not impressed.
The Leto frenzy has me wondering why we give so much attention to those famous people who parachute into niche sports every now and then. Gwyneth on skis. Eddie Vedder on a mountain bike. Jason Momoa grabbing jugs at the gym. Anytime an A-lister does something weird or wacky outdoors, we tend to fawn over their exploits. Not me. I think Leto’s stunt is pure gumbification of our sport—and, yes, I know he has some cred for staring in climbing films yada yada yada. But it’s been a stunning showcase of internet lunacy to see one news outlet joke that Leto is actually prepping for a role as Spider Man while another describes his climbing as a “crazy stunt.” Sure, his technique was pretty good, but this “stunt” is emblematic of the pervasive misreporting and puffballing of decidedly uncool climbing exploits from people who are trying to capitalize on the sport’s increasing fandom—and wow has it increased.
On the plus side, as our wee little sport has grown, so has its professionalism, or at least that’s what we’ve been aiming for. Why else would we have tried so hard to get into the Olympics ever since Chris Sharma got litty at the X-Games back in the 90s? I’m talking about sponsorship deals and that other type of greenery. But professionalism should come from and foster a meritocracy. That, Jared Leto, is why I’m in such a tizzy. Because climbers be doin’ that hotel-wall climbing everyday. And way harder stuff, as a matter of fact. Not that the internet cares.
If you’re a non-climber (or pop journalist) and you’re reading this, here’s another mind blowing tip: summiting Everest with the help of oxygen and a guide is also not impressive. What’s impressive is that you’ve got the disposable income to pay for it, or have an audience who cares.