Us Weekly DM’d 26 Male Celebs to See How Often They Think of the Roman Empire — and It’s Shocking

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Us Weekly DM’d 26 Male Celebs to See How Often They Think of the Roman Empire — and It’s Shocking

Social media users have been completely shocked to find out how frequently men think about the Roman Empire on a daily basis.

The question was first posed by TikTok user Madeline Heller earlier this month, who noted that she was surprised to learn that her husband thinks about Ancient Rome at least once a week. The now-viral video inspired a handful of other individuals to ask their own partners the very same question: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”

The trend got Us thinking about our favorite celebrities — from Hallmark star Tyler Hynes to Vanderpump Rules personality James Kennedy — and if gladiators, Roman architecture and more iconic landmarks often prompt random thoughts in their minds. True to the TikTok trend, we posited the very same question via Instagram DMs and couldn’t believe the answers that were sent back.

Keep scrolling to find out how much the stars actually think about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire:

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Shaquille O'Neal

The basketball star told Us he thinks about the Roman empire “all the time” and has even imagined what his life would have been like during that time.

“I've always said, ‘How would I be if I was king? How would I be if I was a warrior? How would I live? Would I be this? Would I be that? Would I have muscles? How many wives would I [have]? [I] always think about things like that,” he shared. “[I’ve been] seeing a lot of pictures and video, so now I got to do my research and find out if it's true. And most of the things that you see [are] true and I kind of wish I was living in those times, but I would have to be a king or I'd have to be a feared warrior.”

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Tyler Cameron

"I don't think I've thought about it in a few years," the Bachelorette alum shared. "But if we're talking dinosaurs... that's a whole different story." 

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Brett Brown

“This is a very random question lol. Quite often, actually,” the Love Is Blind star told Us, adding, “I visited Rome a few years ago and the history was fascinating to say the least.”

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Zach Shallcross

The Bachelor alum said he thinks about the Roman Empire “once every six months, maybe.” When told about the trend, he told Us, “That’s hysterical and probably true hahaha.”

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Jason Tartick

“At least 1 time a week 🤣,” the author and podcast host revealed.

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Mark Consuelos

“How often do you?” ​​Consuelos responded to Us’ question. Upon some explanation of the trend, the Live with Kelly and Mark cohost stated, “I think about it when I’m in Rome, is the answer, specifically when I’m driving by the Coliseum.”

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Landon Barker

Unlike some other celebs, Barker told Us thinks about the Roman Empire “not too much lol.”

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James Kennedy

“Definitely once a week if not more,” the Bravo star replied with a laughing face emoji.

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David Henrie

“Hmmmm. I mean, I’m Italian. Why do you ask?” Henrie initially said.

After the Wizards of Waverly Place alum was informed about the trend, he replied, “Ahhhhhhhh yes, that’s accurate. I looked it up. I get it now. And yes it’d probably surprise most women lol.”

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Wells Adams

The Bachelor in Paradise bartender wasted no time telling Us, “A couple times a week, probably.” 

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Tyler Hynes

“When do I NOT think about the Roman Empire?” the Hallmark actor chimed in.

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Matt James

“Every day, except for Sunday when it’s closed that’s when I think about it the most,” James responded.

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Jesse Palmer

The Bachelor Nation host told Us that he thinks about the Roman Empire “at least” once every week. “Just last night I was marveling at how ingenious of an invention the aqueduct was,” he jokingly added.

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Mike Johnson

“While in Europe two weeks ago? Legit thee [sic] most random 😂🙌🏽,” Johnson said, before noting he wished he had come up with a funnier answer when Us explained the trend.

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Jonathan Bennett

“I don’t think that I do 😂,” the Mean Girls actor weighed in.

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Kyle Cooke

The Roman Empire is on the Summer House star’s mind “every day.”

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Dale Moss

“Never lol, only when I watch Gladiator,” Moss said, referring to Russell Crowe’s 2000 film.

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Brandon Armstrong

The Dancing With the Stars pro said: “Way to [sic] often 😂.”

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Shawn Booth

“Actually thought about it last week when I was planning a workout for my gym,” the personal trainer noted.

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Harry Jowsey

“Almost every night,” the Too Hot to Handle alum, who is set to join DWTS season 32, answered. “How come?”

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Drew Scott

“Not often at all,” the Property Brothers host said, alongside a link to a TikTok video of himself answering the same question sarcastically.

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Austen Kroll

The use of capital letters and an exclamation mark in the Southern Charm star’s reply, “ALL THE TIME!,” must prove his seriousness.

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Noah Erb

“To be honest … at least every day,” the BiP season 7 alum said. Depends on what I am doing but I don’t know how everyone all the time doesn’t think about them we literally use and learn from them two thousand years later. Don’t even get me started on the Greeks.”

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Chris Olsen

The TikToker responded: “Is that a Nicki Minaj thing?”

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Ivan Hall

“Almost never,” Hall replied. “In high school or if I see a [movie.]” 

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Jeremy Lewis

“Considering they essentially invented, engineered, & commercialized running water I dare say I don’t think about them enough,” the “Wild ‘Til 9” podcast host explained. “Not to mention at least one of those aqueducts built in the first century is still functioning today.”

Reporting by Aileen Bergin