Best Summer Ever: Bradley Cooper vs. Leonardo DiCaprio

Battle of the bros.

Jen Baumgardner

Celebrities are just like us—except anything we can do, they can do better. This is never more apparent than during the lazy, jet-packing, tiny frong bikini days of summer. As the season draws to a close, we're taking the week to look back at the celebs who had a particularly good stretch this year to determine which star had The Best Summer Ever. First up, model-loving bros Bradley Cooper and Leonardo DiCaprio. 


Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is having the best summer ever. If you thought you were having a great summer—Seducing sharks! Rocking mermaid tails! Ibiza-ing with your husband in Ibiza!—nay, your summer is nothing compared to Bradley's. 

First off, there are the little things that contributed to the actor's A+ season:

1) He had a successful run in a West End production of "Elephant Man." Not only did he receive positive reviews for the performance, but the show wrapped last week, which means he can finally grow a beard again. Thank God.

2) The trailers for his next big projects just came out—the Gordon Ramsey-esque Burnt and the Jennifer Lawrence-starring  Joy—which means *Oscar buzz*. 

3) He got to go back to summer camp/made all the Wet Hot American Summer geeks' dreams come true. He also got to wear this:

4) He got his own caricature in Sardi's, which means he's really made it. But also, he looks like Saturday Night Fever Bradley Cooper.

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5) He bought these ultra hip new sunglasses:

He's actually really excited about it.
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But really, the real reason Bradley is having the best summer ever is that he's spent these warm summer days living out his and every teenage boy's fantasies. For Bradley Cooper is dating Irina Shayk, and they have been having what People has expertly dubbed an "Italian summer of smooching." Behold:

It's not only the best ever, it's the most photo op-worthy ever. Seriously, this is a paparazzi shot, but I don't think I could nail that perfect, "emerging from the water, let's casually make out on the boat ladder-thing, half in the sea because we are soinlove" pose if I had staged it. I mean:

Those incredibly uncomfortable pebbles that are not at all ideal to lie on don't even phase them—they're so in love they can't FEEL pain. Plus, see the goggles? Sure he might have super sensitive eyes and need them for the salt water...or perhaps he just needs them to do this:

See? He can't take his eyes off her. And who would want to? The pair moved then from the Amalfi Coast to Capri, where they were once again seen kissing and admiring each other and  just being this weekend. And just being is the best. As evidenced by Bradley Cooper:

Seriously, he even got to wear those super cool sunglasses! BEST. SUMMER. EVER. —Sally Holmes, Senior News Editor

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Leonardo DiCaprio

Last year, humanitarian and very serious actor Leonardo DiCaprio established he is the best at summer. Remember the water gun fights? The yachts? The models? The man bun?! It's no surprise then that Leo defended his title excellently this year. The proof: 

1) The guy lived the full tourist life. It started with a selfie stick tour of New York. This activity would be taboo and looked down upon for most because, cringe, it's a selfie stick. But the fact that Leo just didn't give a fuck and went for it makes it a win. 


2) Leo outbid Paris Hilton on a Chanel purse—a move that establishes he is a pro at everything, including competitive charity shopping. This purse was for his mom, showing also that he's the best son.

3) Women were a big part of his summer, too. But Leo chose just one because nothing makes a summer quite like romance.

At first, this girlfriend was rumored to be Rihanna, which is the most flattering dating speculation you could ask for. Rihanna did not shut this rumor down the same way she shut down a later fake suitor. Leo is thus cool enough to be associated with RiRi. And, you know, throw her birthday parties.

Leo found love instead with a different woman, however: Sports Illustrated's swimsuit model Kelly Rohrbach.


He took her Citi-biking. They also made out during a red light because this is summer love at its finest. Another date involved going to a restaurant, where Leo led his fellow eaters in a singalong. A singalong! The fun never stops.

4) He didn't let his relationship limit the company he kept. He hosted a gala with Kelly and a bunch of beautiful model friends (there were many high slits). There, he auctioned off a night on his yacht with him and got $280K on it. For charity! There is no greater example of #winning than finding a way to work, play, and save the world. 

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Taken as a whole, Leo's summer had plenty of yachting, plenty of women, and plenty of him being him: Just a man with a man bun, Citi-biking around New York City with a selfie stick and Sports Illustrated model/girlfriend. If that's not the ultimate summer, what is? ―Alyssa Bailey, Editorial Assistant


Because, come on:

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