In the often-frivolous world of celebrity beauty rankings, a single title can sometimes transcend its glossy origins to signal a genuine cultural shift. This week, that signal came in the form of Jonathan Bailey, the 37-year-old British actor who has been officially crowned People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. The announcement, made on November 3 during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, is far more than a celebration of one man’s chiseled features. Bailey becomes the first openly gay man to ever receive the honor in the franchise’s 40-year history, a milestone that adds a powerful layer of progress to the playful title .
For Bailey, the news was met with his signature blend of graciousness and self-deprecating wit. “It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered,” he told People. “And it’s completely absurd” . This historic moment arrives at the peak of a phenomenal year for the actor, who has also become 2025’s highest-grossing box office star thanks to the combined global success of Wicked: For Good and Jurassic World: Rebirth . By bestowing this particular honor upon an accomplished, out gay actor at the zenith of his commercial power, People has, perhaps unwittingly, started a conversation about what—and who—society deems sexy, proving that true appeal is about much more than just a handsome face.
A Night of Revelations and Adorable Co-Stars
The official unveiling on The Tonight Show was a moment of genuine shock and delight for Bailey. As he sat for his interview, host Jimmy Fallon revealed the two distinct covers for the magazine’s 40th-anniversary issue . One cover features Bailey submerged chest-deep in a rocky ocean, while the other, perhaps even more endearing, features him shirtless while cuddling his fluffy dog, Benson .
“It’s an honor of a lifetime,” Bailey told Fallon, signing his copy of the magazine. When Fallon remarked, “Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy,” Bailey joyfully responded, “Every time I come here, it’s always something” . He confessed that the title had been a well-kept secret, joking that the only one he’d told was his dog, and quipped about the non-disclosure agreement involved . The actor also shared that he found out about the honor earlier this year while performing in a production of Shakespeare’s Richard II in London, a juxtaposition of high art and pop culture that he seemed to thoroughly enjoy .
The “Smolder” Heard ‘Round the World
Bailey has taken his new title in stride, leaning into the fun with a series of playful public moments. At the New York City premiere for Wicked: For Good, a fan shouted, “Yeah, Sexiest Man Alive!” from the crowd . Bailey immediately turned and responded with a perfectly executed, flirty “smolder,” a moment the fan captured and posted to social media with the caption, “Y’ALL SEEN THAT SMOLDER HE GAVE ME?!?!?” .
Not one to miss a comedic opportunity, Bailey also hilariously reworked a famous line from Wicked while discussing the honor. In a nod to the musical’s opening number, he told Access Hollywood, “Some people are born sexy. And some people have sexy thrust about them” . This ability to be both dashing and self-deprecating is a key part of his widespread appeal. His love for Lego is so well-known that he was even presented with his own custom Lego minifigure at the Wicked: For Good premiere, modeled after his People cover look . He has previously stated that building Lego is one of his ideal date ideas and that “doesn’t like Lego” is a deal-breaker in a partner .
A Career Built on Charisma and Chops
Jonathan Bailey is far from an overnight sensation. He began his acting career as a child, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in a West End production of Les Misérables . He broke out to international television audiences as the dashing Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton .
His career has since skyrocketed. He won a Laurence Olivier Award for his role in the musical Company and earned an Emmy nomination for his powerful performance in the limited series Fellow Travelers . In the past year, he has become a global movie star, playing Fiyero in Wicked and its sequel, Wicked: For Good, and appearing as a paleontologist in Jurassic World: Rebirth alongside Scarlett Johansson . The combined box office power of these two films has, as reported by Fiction Horizon, made him the highest-grossing star of the year so far, with Wicked: For Good earning $226 million worldwide in its opening weekend and Jurassic World: Rebirth grossing $868.8 million globally .
Beyond his acting, Bailey founded The Shameless Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ organizations. He told the Associated Press, “I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment. So it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of” . He has previously announced plans to take a step back from acting in 2026 to focus on running the charity, though he is still expected to appear in the upcoming season of Bridgerton .
A Title for a New Era
Bailey takes over the title from 2024’s winner, John Krasinski . He joins a prestigious list of past honorees that includes Patrick Dempsey (2023), Chris Evans (2022), and the first-ever Sexiest Man Alive, Mel Gibson in 1985 .
His selection marks a meaningful step forward for the 40-year-old franchise. As noted by Variety, the significance of this choice goes far beyond Bailey’s movie-star looks . “To be a young person today and see Bailey being celebrated can go a long way in letting them know that it’s OK to be who you are and dream big,” the publication observed, adding that “Visibility matters. Visibility can help save lives” . Bailey himself encapsulated the moment perfectly when he told Forbes, “There’s nothing sexier than progress” .
By bestowing the title upon an accomplished, openly gay actor who is unafraid to be both serious about his craft and playful with his public image, People magazine has signaled that sexiness in 2025 is multifaceted. It is found in talent, in advocacy, in humor, and in the confidence to be authentically oneself. Jonathan Bailey isn’t just the Sexiest Man Alive; he’s the perfect man for the moment.
 ShowbizzToday.com exclusive coverage of your favorite stars and all the latest from the world of entertainment.