Former Hallmark star Cameron Mathison has been leaning into his heartthrob status by posting thirst traps since divorcing his wife, Vanessa Mathison. To recap, the star announced the end of their marriage on July 31, 2024. “After 22 years of marriage, we have made the difficult decision to part ways,” started his Instagram statement. “We enter this new chapter with deep love, kindness, and respect for each other. We hold gratitude in our hearts for the wonderful years we shared together.” Addressing their two children, Mathison revealed that they would remain his and Vanessa’s focus. “We will forever share in our devotion and love for them,” he continued. “We remain friends, and both wish the best for one another.”
Since then, Mathison, who suffered a major health scare in 2019, has settled into his life as a bachelor by posting a ton of shirtless thirst traps. But before we dive into the steamiest snaps, you should know his flexing isn’t just for vanity; it’s also for health advocacy. Since the beloved actor went into remission for kidney cancer, he’s developed a greater need to promote a healthy lifestyle and share workout tips. “Back in the day, I was known as the shirtless guy, and I was so concentrated on physique that I pushed myself in unhealthy ways just to achieve it,” he shared with Woman’s World. “Over time, doing that backfires and messes up your system. What you used to do stops working, so you get more extreme … and then that stops working. It’s a vicious cycle.” Now, his shirtless selfies offer up more than eye candy; they come with actionable tips that his fans can apply to their own lives.
Plus, Nicki Swift exclusively consulted with Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, who broke down Mathison’s other possible motivations for posting thirst traps.
Cameron’s thirst traps usually come with a message
The photo on the left may look like a basic gym selfie, but it’s more than that. Taken in October 2024, Cameron Mathison’s shirtless photo serves as a promotion of the fitness initiatives that have worked well for him over the years. “I’ve got good for reason for posting this…,” he wrote in the Instagram caption. “Traveling from LA to London, then to Paris then to Amsterdam… back to London and finally home to LA in a week can be a huge stress on the body.” He explained that the Pure Fast Protocol and the 4F system (which stands for flush, feed, function, and fast), had made it possible for him to indulge in goodies while visiting Europe without derailing his fitness plan. “The 4F system It’s an amazingly simple system to follow and I can’t wait to bring it to you soon through Health360!!” he added.
Meanwhile, the screenshot on the right, taken from a February 2025 Instagram reel, came with fewer tips, but just as much, if not more, skin. As you can see above, Mathison flaunted not only his ripped muscles but also his strength as he balanced his weight on a piece of workout equipment that’s out of frame. Further proving that he isn’t really interested in just being eye candy anymore, Mathison also managed to list out a few of the things that had helped him come “back stronger” in both “mind and body” in his caption. For those interested, he listed meditating, eating clean, lifting weights, drinking water, sleeping, taking long walks, praying, and helping others as his self-care aids.
A neuropsychologist’s take on celebrity thirst traps
According to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC neuropsychologist, Cameron Mathison’s frequent thirst traps could be a way for him to gain attention amid his divorce. “Divorced celebrities often post ‘thirst traps’ on social media after a split for various reasons, including seeking attention,” she explained. ” In the age of social media, the desire to be admired and noticed can drive public figures to curate images that emphasize their physical appearance and allure. The posts function as self-empowerment tools which show fans and ex-partners that the celebrity remains desirable and self-assured.” Dr. Hafeez also revealed that thirst traps could be a way for celebs to divert attention away from the negative aspects of their divorces. “Ultimately, while attention may play a role, it’s often part of a larger effort to regain power over how they are perceived post-divorce,” she continued.
Discussing the possible deeper motivations, Dr. Hafeez also revealed that thirst traps aren’t always about attention. “Some celebrities use this method as a way to handle feelings of rejection or inadequacy which emerge after a relationship ends because they look for affirmation from outside sources,” she said. “Through these posts celebrities express their need for emotional support and reassurance from their fan base, personal connections, and the general public.” She further explained that celebs also use these posts to remind the public they’re still valuable. “Posting these images demonstrates an individual’s need to receive recognition as they recover from the emotional separation caused by divorce,” she continued. “These deeper scenarios may represent healing efforts that involve restoring emotional balance by trying to recover sexual power.”
