How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere ‘messiah’
How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere ‘messiah’
How my brother went from liberal – Over the past decade, Luis Castilleja’s life has undergone a dramatic shift. Once a carefree artist chasing opportunities in Hollywood, he now stands as El Temach, a prominent figure in the manosphere—a movement that promotes hyper-masculine ideologies and often criticizes women. His sister, Alex, recalls the transformation with disbelief, noting how the brother she once knew has become a symbol of a different persona. “I don’t like calling him El Temach because for me, he’s a completely different person,” she explains. “So I’m just the sister with the human he was.”
A journey from actor to influencer
Luis, who moved to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming a performer, spent years navigating the competitive world of entertainment. He studied theatre in Mexico City before relocating to Hollywood, where he embraced the liberal culture of the city. However, his career took a turn when a relationship ended and work opportunities dwindled. “He returned home after a breakup and struggled to secure regular roles,” Alex says. “These setbacks pushed him to help other young men deal with similar challenges, and he started posting content focused on male self-development in 2020.”
“At first, it was very noble—how he wanted to help other men feel worthy and valuable,” Alex reflects. “But it quickly twisted into something else. He got this Messiah complex, like he’s the one who has to fix [men’s issues].”
El Temach’s rise to prominence coincided with the growing influence of figures like Andrew Tate, who popularized manosphere rhetoric in the West. Alex claims her brother was inspired by Tate’s approach, adopting similar strategies to attract followers. “He believes some things, but others, he’s just experimenting with what works best for the algorithm,” she says. The content now reflects a sharp critique of feminism and a focus on male dominance, often casting women as manipulative or financially driven.
The global reach of the manosphere
A BBC World Service investigation uncovered how the manosphere has expanded rapidly across regions. Analyzing 15 influencers from Latin America, Africa, and South and East Asia, the report found their follower counts had surged threefold in three years. This growth is particularly striking in areas that have recently made progress in gender equality. Experts suggest the movement taps into a desire for male empowerment, offering a counter-narrative to feminist ideals.
Among the influencers profiled, Andrew Kibe in Kenya stands out. His posts, which blend male self-empowerment with misogynistic commentary, have earned him widespread recognition. Both El Temach and Kibe frequently target single mothers, labeling them as “gold diggers” who exploit men for financial gain. Their content not only critiques women but also presents a vision of masculinity that prioritizes strength and control.
Uncovering the impact on followers
To understand the movement’s effects, the BBC gained access to the social media accounts of two Gen Z followers—one from Mexico and another from Kenya. The data revealed their gradual immersion into the manosphere. The Mexican user, Julián, began with casual engagement in posts about cars, fitness, and self-improvement. “I felt feminism had made men’s problems invisible,” he tells the BBC. “That’s why I started following El Temach.” By 19, he had liked over 3,000 videos from various manosphere creators, indicating a deepening connection to the ideology.
Similarly, the Kenyan follower’s activity shows a shift from general interest to staunch alignment with the movement. Their posts, comments, and shares reflect a growing belief in the manosphere’s message, suggesting that the content resonates with those seeking validation. “It’s not just about the views or likes,” says Alex. “It’s about how the ideas shape their worldview.” The movement’s appeal lies in its ability to simplify complex social issues into digestible, often provocative narratives.
El Temach’s defense and the brother’s rift
El Temach, when approached for the BBC documentary, initially expressed willingness to share his story. He invited the team to document his global tour, which began in the United States. However, just days before the filming was set to commence, he went live on YouTube to announce his decision to withdraw. “BBC and Miss Jacqui from the BBC, we don’t need to take part,” he declared, signaling a growing resistance to scrutiny.
Alex believes her brother’s transformation was partly driven by the need for attention and financial success. “He copied Andrew Tate’s style, pushing it further,” she says. “His content became a reflection of his behavior toward me, where any feminist sentiment I expressed was seen as an attack on his identity.” This dynamic highlights how personal and ideological conflicts can mirror broader societal shifts.
A movement fueled by inequality
The manosphere’s expansion is tied to regions where gender equality has advanced but remains contested. In places like Latin America and Africa, the movement offers a voice to men who feel overshadowed by feminist progress. El Temach’s influence, however, is not limited to ideology—it has also created a commercial empire. His platform, with over 11 million followers, generates significant income through sponsorships and ads, reflecting the movement’s economic power.
While El Temach and Kibe deny their content is misogynistic, critics argue that their rhetoric perpetuates harmful stereotypes. “They dispute the existence of the concept itself,” Alex points out, adding that her brother’s views may be as much about algorithmic engagement as they are about genuine belief. This duality underscores the tension between personal conviction and public performance in the manosphere’s digital landscape.
Broader implications and future questions
The BBC’s findings raise important questions about the role of social media in shaping cultural norms. As young men like Julián and their peers adopt manosphere ideologies, the movement’s influence continues to grow. This shift challenges traditional notions of gender roles and highlights how online platforms can amplify voices that gain traction quickly.
El Temach’s story is emblematic of a broader trend: the reinvention of individuals through digital identity. His journey from a liberal actor to a manosphere icon reflects the intersection of personal struggles, societal trends, and the power of social media to transform perspectives. For Alex, the transformation is a painful reminder of how quickly people can change, and how ideology can become a weapon in the fight for visibility and influence.
Listen to the podcast here, and outside the UK, you can watch the film on YouTube. The narrative of El Temach and others like him invites a deeper exploration of the forces driving the manosphere’s global spread—and the cost of such transformations on personal relationships and societal values.
