“Voicemaxxing” Is the New Looksmaxxing

The Trend: Gen Z’s infamous “maxxing” trend continues with the development of “voicemaxxing.” Closely linked to “looksmaxxing,” this viral trend has young men humming, practicing diaphragmatic breathing, and hydrating to achieve their “best” voice. This might not sound so bad until you factor in the mewing, neck crunches, mouth-taping, and other speculative practices encouraged by downloadable guides and AI voicemaxxing apps that are profiting off of insecurity. 

What People Are Saying: Singing teachers may approve of humming and breathing exercises, but the proof stops there. Adding depth and volume to your voice comes from releasing tension in your jaw, not building up your neck muscles like some guides promote. And while studies have shown that women tend to prefer deeper voices in men, they also suggest that faking a deeper voice does not make men more attractive to women.

What to Know: Ranging from “bigorexia” to literal bone-breaking surgery to unnecessary TRT, men are facing more appearance-focused troubles than ever. If you’re experiencing anxiety over your voice, appearance, or age, it’s worth visiting a mental health professional. And try to resist the urge to give your money to an AI app that tells you what’s “wrong” with your face or body.