Mark Ronson says he identifies as sapiosexual

‘I didn’t know that there was a word for it’

Mark Ronson has said he identifies as “sapiosexual“, meaning he is sexually attracted to a person’s intelligence before their appearance.

On Thursday, the musician appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the recent release of his fifth studio album Late Night Feelings.

At the end of the interview, co-host Kate Garraway referenced a previous segment on the show which Ronson had taken an interest in, during which a discussion had been conducted about sapiosexuality.

“Now that we know that you’re single – he’s got very involved, Mark, in our sapiosexual debate this morning – and you’re identifying as a man who likes intellect,” Garraway said to Ronson.

“I did. I didn’t know that there was a word for it, but yeah, I was really enjoying that segment,” the Academy Award-winning artist said.

“We were all arguing back in the dressing room with a couple of your producers. Yes, I feel like I identify as sapiosexual,” he added.

“Sapiosexual” is a term used to describe an individual who is “sexually attracted to highly intelligent people”, Merriam-Webster explains.

“This term is showing up with increasing frequency in personal ads, advice columns, and even on T-shirts used by those who choose to describe themselves and their romantic interests in a way that contrasts sharply with the often superficial, looks-oriented criteria traditionally associated with the beginnings of romance,” the dictionary states.

Prior to Ronson’s interview on Good Morning Britain, the talk show conducted a debate regarding sapiosexuality.

Sociologist Dr Catherine Hakim argued that a person’s appearance is always an initial factor when it comes to sexual attraction.

“When you meet someone new for the first time, within 30 seconds you register their age, their sex, their ethnicity and how attractive they are,” Dr Hakim said.

“It’s not that intelligence doesn’t matter, but we all react instantly to men and women, young and old, by how attractive they are, and that registers itself permanently.”

Meanwhile, journalist Nichi Hodgson – who identifies as sapiosexual – explained her understanding of the term on the talk show.

“The definition of sapiosexuality doesn’t mean not physical attraction – it means intelligence first. So that’s how I identify,” Hodgson said.

Earlier this year, Ronson won an Oscar for co-writing the song “Shallow” for the 2018 remake of musical drama A Star Is Born, alongside Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt and Anthony Rossomando.

To read The Independent’s review of Ronson’s album Late Night Feelings, click here.