Jonathan Bailey, known for his roles in Bridgerton and Wicked, has been announced as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. He is the first openly gay man to receive this prestigious honor, marking a historic moment.
The news was shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where Bailey accepted the title with charm and humor:
“It’s an honour of a lifetime, and I want to say, Jimmy, thank you so much for turning it down so I could be here.”
When asked if he expected people to treat him differently now, he replied boldly:
“I f***ing hope so.”
Bailey succeeds John Krasinski, famous for The Office and A Quiet Place. He joins a distinguished group of past winners including Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, George Clooney, Harrison Ford, and Mel Gibson, who was the inaugural recipient in 1985.
Contrary to popular assumptions, the selection process is not a public vote or bracket competition. The winner is chosen solely by People magazine’s editorial team, making the decision internal rather than democratic or based on popularity.
Author's summary: Jonathan Bailey’s historic win as People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025 highlights a purely editorial selection process behind this 40-year tradition.