‘Outer Banks’: Chase Stokes’ John B Is Every Guy I’ve Ever Had a Crush On

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Outer Banks

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Throughout my middle and high school years I had crushes on many, many guys: guitarists who only knew how to play Blink-182, youth group devotees, B-level jocks with winning smiles. But there always a certain type of guy who had the unique ability to melt my heart with one flick of his floppy hair. And Outer Banks‘ John B, played by Chase Stokes, is the perfect cookie-cutter of my every girlhood crush.

At the age of 28, I’m not actually crushing on John B and his reckless boating ways. Though Chase Stokes is 27 years old, making us a solid age-match, John B is indisputably 16 years old. He’s brash, so emotionally confused that he pushes aside the woman he’s sleeping with one minute only to declare his love to her the next, and so close to the edge of being broken it seems like he could be fixed. As a full-ass adult I have no interest in this child-man. But I can easily remember the time in my life when his face would have decorated every one of my school notebooks.

As a character, John B is basically teenage girl catnip. At his core you know he’s a good guy, even when he’s getting involved in crimes. He’s loyal to his friends and a hard worker with an independent streak. And he’s as charming as they come. Several times throughout Outer Banks‘ first season John B is able to soften the ever strict Sheriff Peterkin (Adina Porter) with little more than a shrug and a smile. Yet unlike his best friend JJ (Rudy Pankow) there’s nothing manipulative about his social prowess. Like the girl in every teen pop song who’s beautiful without makeup, he’s a kid dripping with charm who just doesn’t know it.

Everything good and lovely about John B is compounded by his circumstances. What high schooler wouldn’t fall for the ruffian with a heart of gold who’s biggest fault in life is that his father tragically died? John B is a Disney prince with an even sadder backstory and realistically floppy hair.

But what really sells John B as the crush of my past is his unapproachability. In the words of Zoolander, he is really, really ridiculously good looking. As troubled as John B always seems, he’s always just a hair too manicured, both emotionally and physically, to be believable. There’s a reason why he ends up with Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), the popular queen bee and leader of the rich kids. In the odd laws of high school someone as perfectly gritty as John B doesn’t belong with the nerdy girl or a fellow outsider like Kiara (Madison Bailey). He’s a top dog in need of a bath and a new home. But his smile is charming enough and he’s down to earth enough to make everyone else they think they have a chance.

Thankfully, I’ve grown from the John B’s in my life, the debonaire pretty boys that will allow themselves to be “fixed” for a while. I’ve watched them passionately swing from one hopeful woman to me to yet another star-eyed love interest. But watching Outer Banks has reminded me of the brooding looks and impulsive Prince Charmings who used to fill my daydreams. John B, you’re trouble; but damn, that’s how we like you.

Watch Outer Banks on Netflix