Over the past 60 years, Joyce Carol Oates has become one of the most respected and prolific American writers, penning acclaimed novels and short stories, and winning prestigious accolades like the National Book Award.
She’s also a chronic over-sharer on Twitter X, where she’s constantly posting hot takes and photos of her cats. We certainly don’t begrudge Oates for tweeting as much as she does—talk your sh*t, girl!—it’s just funny to see the thoughts of one of the most venerated voices in the literary world among an unending feed of pop star screeds and gay dude thirst traps.
But lately? It’s all starting to blend together. And that’s because Oates has been posting some thirst traps of her own—not of herself, mind you, but of a family member named Sam, who happens to be completely yolked.
How about we take this to the next level?
Subscribe to our daily newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
two members of (my late husband) Charlie's remarkable family. awesome bodybuilder & her son, Harvard grad (arts). pic.twitter.com/r4soU48bK8— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) December 28, 2023
Meet Sam Hagen, a New York City-based Crossfit competitor and “Harvard grad (arts),” as Miss Oates tells us. The two are family by marriage—Sam is the grandson of the writer’s late second husband, Charles Gross.
Oates first shared a photo of Sam and his mom, Melanie (also a bodybuilder!), on December 28, and the internet hasn’t been the same.
Not since she (jokingly?) tweeted about conservation laws in response to a dead dinosaur photo from the set of Jurassic Park have folks been this interested in Oates’ online presence. Of course, leave it to the gays to immediately get up in her replies after the post, shooting their shot with Sam:
Nice to meet you Joyce, my name is son in law!— wema (@eyeamwema) December 28, 2023
Hey Joyce, huge fan of your work! I just wanted to let you know that I am really good at cooking, I love cleaning, and I know how to keep a home— david (@davidsabryg) December 28, 2023
But, can you blame them? Sam’s got the brains (we repeat, “Harvard grad (arts)!”) and the brawn; he seems like the whole package!
In any event, Oates clearly has no qualms showing off her fit family member for engagement—the above post has ways more likes and retweets than any of her pics to cats (no offense to the pretty kitties)—and she’s gradually beginning to realize what it is the people want to see!
Smith is returning to the CrossFit Games later this summer.
Most recently, she shared a series of photos of Sam competing in a Crossfit Competition in Texas, and it’s hilarious to watch her realize in real-time what’s really going to drive the clicks.
First up is a photo of Sam and his mom posing for the camera, wearing full workout sweats outfits. Cute! (41 likes, 3 retweets). Then we got an action shot of Sam lifting a barbell that looks very heavy, flashing calves yet fully clothed. Nice job, Sam! (46 likes, 4 retweets). And, finally, a photo of Sam standing and smiling—presumably post-competition—with his shirt off. *AWOOOGAH* (894 likes, 114 retweets).
thank you joyce you are our strongest ally— average homeowsexual (@cormeow) February 2, 2024
Oates has made a point to note that she’s been sharing all of these photos with permission, and since her latest post about her grandson-in-law includes his full name, it sounds like we’ve got the green-light to look him up on Instagram, too, right?
Well, we sure did, and the results did not disappoint. Hagen posts frequent fitness updates, workout routines, and plenty of thirst traps from his account, @sam____squats, which we’re sure got a recent follower bump from Oates. And if you see us in the comments, mind your business!
The troll-heavy social media feed of an 85-year-old literary icon is probably the last place we’d expect to find a new ripped hunk to obsess over, but we’ll just chalk it up to one of life’s little miracles.
Joyce Carol Oates, thank you for your service. And Sam Hagen… if you read this we’re free on Thursday night and would like to hang out. Please respond to this and then hang out with us on Thursday night when we’re free.
Please enjoy some of our favorites from the Crossfit hottie and Harvard grad (arts)’s Instagram page below:
(@bnowalk) February 2, 2024
❁ (@Qsomm) February 2, 2024
