Jonathan Bailey has formally been topped the Sexiest Man Alive for 2025 by People journal.
The English actor—recognized for his roles in Bridgerton, Fellow Travelersand the upcoming Wicked: For Good—takes over the title from John Krasinski, turning into the primary overtly homosexual man to obtain the distinction.
“It’s a huge honor,” Bailey mentioned throughout his look on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd.”
Bailey, 37, graces People’s cowl alongside his canine, Benson, who joined him for the picture shoot. According to the journal, the actor instructed diving into the icy waters off a seaside south of London earlier than wrapping up in a cable-knit sweater and requesting a glass of Bordeaux.
People’s Julie Jordan, who interviewed him for the function, wrote that all the room “looked flushed” after spending time with the actor.
Born and raised in rural Oxfordshire, Bailey grew up with three older sisters and credit a childhood journey to see Oliver! with sparking his love of performing.
By age seven, he was performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. He’s since constructed a profession that balances stage work with main TV and movie tasks, growing a popularity for each vary and charisma.
His world breakout got here in 2020 as Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Netflix’s Bridgertonwhich launched him into in a single day fame. “One morning my radio alarm went off with, ‘Here’s the news at 7. But just before we go, can we talk about Jonathan Bailey?’” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Where is my journal? Is this real?’ It was wild.”
Bailey later earned an Emmy nomination for his efficiency as a closeted congressional aide in Showtime’s Fellow Travelersand this yr, he stars as Prince Fiyero in Wicked: For Goodwhich hits theaters November 21. He additionally appeared in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Though People’s Sexiest Man Alive title is unpaid, Executive Director Andrea Lavinthal confirmed that honorees don’t pay to be featured, both.
Reflecting on his journey, Bailey mentioned, “At various moments in my life I’ve been like, ‘I’ve got this,’ which is sometimes met by a deep spike of fear and self-doubt. We’re all sort of trying to get back to the origin, aren’t we?”
And even as the world now sees him as the Sexiest Man Alive, Bailey stays grounded. “Behind the mask of being identified as a sexy man are other truths,” he mentioned. “My friends know the secrets.”