Nicholas Alexander Chavez: Bop or Not?
Monsters Controversy
Within the last few months, the Menendez Brothers’ case has resurfaced. On September 19th, 2024, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan was released on Netflix. The following month, The Menendez Brothers documentary directed by Alejandro Hartmann was released also on Netflix.
A whirlwind of responses flowed from almost every social media platform, specifically surrounding Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. People had forgotten the show was a dramatization of the Menendez Brothers’ story, not an actual depiction of the entire case or the brothers themselves. Arguments arose from the way the actors portrayed Lyle and Erik as aggressive murderers who had no remorse for killing their parents. But this was only one side of the story, as Ryan Murphy’s view stated this dramatization was “the best thing that has happened to the Menendez brothers in thirty years,” as the show brought the Menendez Brothers’ case to national attention once again.
On October 24, current LA County District Attorney George Gascón supported resentencing the brothers for an appeal of clemency. However, newly elected LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman will take office on December 2, which could delay the brothers’ resentencing hearing, which was scheduled for December 11.
Do you know Nicholas Alexander Chavez?
Born in Houston, TX, and raised in Denver, CO, the 25-year-old actor has been involved with theater and acting since a young age, participating in both athletic competitions as well as high school theater productions such as “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Attending Rutgers University for 2 years and studying in the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Chavez made his acting debut in ABC’s daytime soap opera, General Hospital, appearing in the show from 2021 to January 2024 while simultaneously joining the Monsters cast in 2023.
Separating the Actor from the Character
In many instances, an actor can invest themselves in a role so much so that it takes a toll on their mental health, as seen in Dahmer actor, Evan Peters; or completely alters a part of their identity, much like Austin Butler, who portrayed Elvis Presley in the 2021 film Elvis and developed a Southern accent after impersonating the late star for months. However, we as an audience need to understand that actors are not their characters.
Chavez has been featured in several videos, with almost 90% of TikTok edits stating “editing the actor, not the character.” Essentially, discerning the actor from their work is the perspective in which viewers need to approach Chavez’s rising fame: we do not need to popularize a murderer, much less idolize one.
Many have also commented on Chavez’s physique in the show, specifically his portrayal of the character and the stark differences between his role in Monsters versus his past character in General Hospital and his recent appearance in the FX drama Grotesquerie. Some have voiced their fears about the “Chavez Era” coming to an end; however, many TikTok users can admit that the Internet’s obsession with the 25-year-old actor is only growing as the likes and edits increase daily.
“Bop?”
Videos have been circulating of Chavez’s past social media accounts, as well as controversies with his former and current co-stars. Many have parodied Chavez’s “cringey” TikToks, and recorded themselves as various alter-egos the young actor has posted; some included, but are not limited to, “Lavender Baby” and “Wild Hair Casual.”
While these social media posts highlight Chavez’s fun and carefree side, recent public engagements have shown a reserved and almost agitated persona. In one interview, a reporter asked the actor about his friendship with his on-screen love interest, Tabyana Ali. The actor was surprisingly short with his response, correcting himself when he referred to the actress by her nickname and instead replied with her full name. As well, Chavez was recently caught being intimate with his Monsters co-star, Chloë Sevigny. Both Sevigny and Chavez are currently in relationships, as the forty-nine-year-old actress is married to her husband of four years, Siniša Mačković, and Chavez is currently dating his Grotesquerie costar, Victoria Abbott. After these interesting revelations about Chavez’s personality, only one question remains: is the actor a bop?
Conclusion
Nicholas Alexander Chavez, one of the up-and-coming actors of 2024, has turned into an Internet phenomenon, with many dubbing TikTok user Aurelis’ video “the Nicholas Chavez edit.” While there are questionable actions that have recently come to light, with the actor’s entertaining social media posts resurfacing from 2020 to recent controversies with his costars, Chavez is certainly a rising star in Hollywood’s movie and TV industry. Ultimately, Nicholas Alexander Chavez is definitely here to stay.