Full disclosure, I am not on Grindr, yet the gay internet still somehow tells me what’s coming next. That’s why I’m genuinely curious about Grindr UNWRAPPED. It’s not just an inside look at a community I admire from the outside, or over my friends’ shoulders, or over strangers’ shoulders during Fashion Week… It’s an early read on the cultural currents that end up influencing everyone, including your female friends like me. To quote Grindr’s SVP of Marketing and Communications, Tristan Piñeiro. “Gay culture doesn’t follow trends, it creates them.”

Tristan Piñeiro

UNWRAPPED 2025 marks Grindr’s fifth annual global snapshot of queer culture, powered by insights from more than 15 million monthly users and 32,000 community votes. The report tracks the celebrities, kinks, cities, and moments that dominated the Grid this year. 2025’s headline winners include Lady Gaga as Mother of the Year, Sabrina Carpenter as Mother-in-Training, Pedro Pascal as Daddy of the Year, Jonathan Bailey as Hottest Man, Bad Bunny’s Calvin Klein campaign for Best Bulge, and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem as Album of the Year. Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour also drove real-world impact, boosting Grindr usage by nearly 7% in tour cities.

Beyond celebrity-hood, we got a peek into some interesting, more regional insights like Finland leads in nude-sending, South Korea tops open relationships, Switzerland claims the most twinks, and Italy ranks first for feet. France, joined this year by the US and UK, leads the Hung Bottoms ranking. The US has the highest percentage of self-proclaimed ‘daddies’ by country, and London was named the top city to visit for a Gaycation. Prime connection time hits at 10 PM, Paris is the most Roamed-to city, and users sent over 12.8 billion taps worldwide in 2025. With so much to unpack spoke to Tristan Piñeiro.

Was there anything from Unwrapped that really surprised you?

To start, the sheer volume of engagement on our survey this year was astounding. We received more than triple the amount of votes we garnered last year, along with many nominees posting across social media, driving the community to engage. It was our goal to make this bigger each year, and this increase in response shows our community continues to be invested in shaping cultural conversations and moving pop culture forward.

What really caught my attention, though, was some of the global data pulled from the profiles of our 15MM monthly users and how it really highlights how diverse our community is. Finland leading in sending nudes, South Korea having the most open relationships, Switzerland with the highest percentage of twinks — the data is a window into how different cultures express gay identity and connection. Also, seeing Tokyo, Seattle, and Taipei as top cities where users are searching for friends shows how Grindr is about so much more than hookups (not that there’s anything wrong with them!). It’s the Global Gayborhood in Your Pocket™.

Why do you think Lady Gaga continues to resonate across generations?

Lady Gaga has been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community since day one. That kind of loyalty builds deep trust, and our community remembers. But it’s also about evolution. With Mayhem and the Mayhem Ball tour, she reminded everyone why she’s Mother. She takes risks, she’s vulnerable, and she creates moments that become cultural touchstones. From “Abracadabra” to her Rio concert, she gave us everything this year. The data speaks for itself with her appeal. During her Mayhem Ball Tour, Grindr app usage spiked nearly 7% on show nights in host cities. Younger generations are also feeling seen by her, just like those of us who have loved her forever. That’s rare. When you combine artistry with advocacy, you get a legacy that transcends generations.

Who do you personally call mother?

While Gaga is definitely up there, Madonna will always be my glorious leader. I have been a fan since the 80s, so I am properly imprinted. Most gay boys pick their diva in their teens and stick with her for life, and she was mine. She showed up for the community right from the start and never faltered, even when it was risky, and that kind of loyalty earns a permanent place in your DNA.

What keeps it alive is that she has never let us get complacent. She holds us, but she also keeps us guessing about what is next. That mix of unwavering support and constant reinvention is exactly why she is still mother to me.

Maybe it’s because I’m writing from France, but I’m putting Mylène Farmer up there with Lady Gaga and Madonna. Regarding films, I understand Sinners, it was incredible, but I need you to explain to me what so many guys saw in Jurassic World and Superman?

All I will say is that both those films also had nominations for Best Bulge…

But seriously, these films also represent something bigger. For decades, gay men have been redefining masculinity, vulnerability, and male identity, and mainstream culture is only now catching up. Jonathan Bailey and David Corenswet aren’t playing the stoic, emotionally unavailable action heroes of the past. They’re bringing a different energy: sensitive, complex, physically confident, but not afraid to be vulnerable.

These are reinventions of classic franchises that reflect how masculinity is evolving. Seeing that reflected in blockbuster cinema, with leading men who embody that balance. That resonates deeply.

Which other gaymers should we keep an eye on and why?

Dan and Phil taking Gaymer of the Year is so well deserved. They’ve built an incredibly loyal, multigenerational fanbase. But I’d keep an eye on everyone else in that top five: Hazlanz, The Austin Show, Nicki Miraje, and Juno Birch are all carving out unique spaces in gaming and streaming culture.

What’s exciting is how these creators are blending gaming with other forms of entertainment like comedy, commentary, drag, and community-building. They’re creating worlds where gay people feel welcomed and celebrated. That’s the future of content, and it’s happening in the gaming space right now.

I know you didn’t share the data, but would Grindr consider some fashion awards in the future?

I love this question. “Slutty little glasses” winning Gayest Fashion Trend of the Year shows our community has opinions about style. Fashion is deeply tied to identity, self-expression, and desire—all things that live at the heart of Grindr. We recently did a collection with CHRISHABANA and you may have seen our work from last month with Rainbow Wool, both of which were great collaborations that brought together gay fashion and culture in a really authentic way.

Adding more fashion-specific categories to UNWRAPPED feels like a natural evolution. I won’t make any promises yet, but let’s just say we’re paying attention to what resonates. If the community wants it, we’ll deliver.

Finally, what are your predictions for 2026?

We’re going to see even more convergence between IRL and digital community spaces. Grindr Rides proved people crave real-world connection, and I think we’ll see more brands, including us, showing up in cities, at events, and in spaces where our community gathers.

Culturally, I think we’ll continue seeing younger artists rise. The Mother-in-Training category exists for a reason—Sabrina, Doechii, Addison Rae, they’re the next generation of icons, and 2026 will be their year to dominate, along with many new players, I’m sure.

And selfishly? I’m hoping for a return to more adventurous, boundary-pushing pop music. Give us more camp, give us chaos, give us something we haven’t seen before.

The beauty of UNWRAPPED is that it’s a reflection of what our millions of monthly users decide matters. I’m always surprised by the results in the best way.