‘Wicked’ and ‘Bridgerton’ star Jonathan Bailey has been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, taking over the title from last year’s honouree, John Krasinski.
The announcement was made on Monday night’s episode of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’.
The 37-year-old British actor, who has won hearts with his mix of charisma, talent and charm, called the recognition “a huge honour”, though he added with typical wit, “It’s completely absurd.”
Bailey became an international sensation as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton, before dazzling cinema audiences as Prince Fiyero in 2024’s Wicked.
The film’s highly anticipated second part is set for release on November 21. He also earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in Showtime’s ‘Fellow Travelers’ and recently headlined Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit cinemas in July.
Speaking to Fallon, Bailey described the title as “the honour of a lifetime,” joking that he was thrilled People had chosen “someone who can truly appreciate the value of a sexy man.”
Bailey told People that his passion for acting began at the age of five, when his grandmother took him to see the musical ‘Oliver!’. Within two years, he was performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the start of a career that has included acclaimed stage work, most recently ‘Richard II’ in London.
Since People first launched its Sexiest Man Alive issue in 1985 with Mel Gibson, the title has been claimed by Hollywood icons including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, David Beckham, Michael B. Jordan, Dwayne Johnson and Paul Rudd.
Bailey, who graces the cover of this week’s issue out Friday, admitted he had to keep the news under wraps, though he could not resist telling one trusted confidant: his dog, Benson, who also makes an appearance in the feature.
