Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s son, James Wilkie Broderick, is setting it straight after his physique caused a stir online. The 23-year-old made waves through social media when a post claimed that his gym gains marked the launch of a new profession. Fans and James himself had to call out the total absurdity of the rumor.
The Rumors Take Flight
The internet went into overdrive following a series of striking, high-fashion portraits James shot for photographer Brad Walsh’s book, “FELLA: Images of Men”. Shortly after, paparazzi captured the star leaving a grueling workout at Manhattan’s elite S10 Training gym in the West Village, showcasing massive bicep gains and a lean, athletic build.
Media outlets and photo agency Backgrid quickly capitalized on the viral moment, sharing a post with the tagline: “Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s son, James Wilkie, was spotted leaving the gym in the West Village on Wednesday. He showed off his insane physique after launching his career as a model.” Almost instantly, commenters flooded the post to highlight the absolute absurdity of the caption’s dramatic framing.
Fans pointed out that the media seemed to be acting as if James had undergone a sudden, overnight metamorphosis, jokingly noting that the outlet was essentially comparing a photo of him as a literal 10-year-old child to his current adult build at 23.
“Breaking news: child grows up,” one user teased, while others laughed at the extreme leap from “working out” to “professional model.”
“I’m Not Tryna Be a Model Lol!”
It didn’t take long for James to join in on the joke and set the record straight online. Taking to his Instagram Story, he shared a screenshot of the dramatic claims and explicitly clarified that he was “definitely not turning to a modeling career.”
To ensure the message was received loud and clear, he brought the conversation directly to the source. James left a direct reply right under the viral Backgrid USA Instagram Post, writing: “I’m not tryna be a model lol!” The swift, lighthearted debunking proved that while he is dedicated to his intense gym routine, he has zero desire to trade his streetwear for high-fashion runways.
Eyes on Hollywood, Not the Runway
GettySo, if modeling is completely out of the question, what is next for the famous Hollywood son? James is choosing to follow directly in the footsteps of his iconic parents. Rather than walking the catwalk, he has his sights set firmly on an acting career.
He has already begun building an impressive Hollywood résumé. In 2025, James made a memorable on-screen appearance alongside his father in an episode of the CBS drama “Elsbeth.” He also starred in the short film “Why Not, Pat?” and is currently linked to two upcoming film projects, “Alter Egos” and “Days Ending in Y.”
While Sarah Jessica Parker has always spoken about her children finding their own fulfilling paths, it seems acting was natural. He may be a “gym bro” by hobby, but he is strictly an actor by trade.
