Jonathan Bailey has been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025 marking the first time in the award’s 40-year history that an openly gay man has taken the crown.
The announcement was revealed Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Thrilled and Still Giggling
Bailey called the honor “the honor of a lifetime.” He quipped during his appearance with Fallon that he’s “still giggling” about the news.
He thanked Jimmy Fallon with a wink: “thank you so much for turning it down so I could be here.”
How It Happened
Bailey says he first learned he was in the running at the start of 2025, while he was in the middle of performing Richard II on stage. He described being deep in the serious Shakespeare production and joked that “the only thing madder than doing ‘Richard II’ was being invited into this.”
People marked the 40th anniversary of their Sexiest Man Alive feature with Bailey’s selection.
He appears on two covers: one showing him chest-deep in a rocky ocean, the other shirtless while holding a fluffy dog.
Career Snapshot
Bailey, 37, is best known for his breakout TV role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Bridgerton, and more recently for playing Prince Fiyero in Wicked and a part in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
He is set to reprise his Fiyero role in Wicked: For Good, out later this year.
His performances on stage and screen, plus his natural charm, have helped him earn this recognition.
What He Shared With People
On Being Comfortable in His Skin
“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,” Bailey told People. He added, “When I was really young, I was very confident about who I was… maybe I lost that as I grew up.” But more recently he said he was swimming in the sea with friends and felt “all right in my skin.”
On the Ideal Date
Bailey said it depends on the stage of a relationship. A first date might be dinner, theater or film, but for date number 100? “Legos … and pizza.”
On Relationship Values
He emphasized the importance of communication, transparency and being someone who supports their partner. “Really cheerleading and watching someone thrive should be a real turn-on.”
On What Moves Him to Tears
While he’s been proud of his work in Wicked: For Good, Bailey said family moments affect him deeply, like when his niece earned “Pupil of the Week” at school.
Why It Matters
People’s Sexiest Man Alive is a cover-story staple that dates back to the 1980s. Past winners include actors such as John Krasinski (2024), Chris Evans, Patrick Dempsey, Paul Rudd and Michael B. Jordan.
By naming Bailey, People isn’t just awarding charisma and looks it’s also acknowledging progress in representation. As the first openly gay man to win this title, he becomes a visible symbol for LGBTQ+ visibility in a mainstream pop culture moment.
Bailey’s win sends a message: beauty, sex appeal and confidence come in many forms and that identities long excluded can now stand front and center.
What’s Next?
With the title in hand, Bailey’s career continues to rise. Wicked: For Good hits theaters soon. Meanwhile he remains active in advocacy through his charity, The Shameless Fund.
He may also find some unexpected perks now that he’s literally crowned “the sexiest.” As he joked: “I f—ing hope so.”
