Jonathan Bailey – who captivated the hearts of the viewers in his lead roles in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Wicked’ – was named as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.
Bailey made history as the first gay man to be chosen by the magazine on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 4 (Philippine Time), in an episode of the talk show ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.’
In a teaser, the actor was hinted to be ‘often seen on horseback’ in an apparent reference to his characters in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Wicked.’ He was also described as a ‘triple threat’ who can ‘act, sing, and dance.’
Bailey, who admitted that he kept the title a secret from his closest friends, said it’s a ‘huge honor’ to be considered as such.
‘It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd. It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out,’ he was quoted as saying.
Moments before the English actor was announced as People’s pick for the title, he was already revealed as such by the US media outlet Page Six. The entertainment magazine, however, didn’t confirm the reports at the time.
Bailey, who takes the mantle from last year’s titleholder John Krasinski, was included in People’s reader’s choice last year. He has been a common fixture of the magazine’s readers’ choice lists, including the category ‘Sexiest Fiyero.’
Jonathan Bailey is @people’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/n5kzx9n1L3
– The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 4, 2025
Known for his magnetic charm and knack for creating chemistry with his co-stars, Bailey is best known for his lead roles in ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘Broadchurch,’ ‘Crashing,’ ‘Fellow Travelers,’ and ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth.’ He is set to reprise his role as Prince Fiyero in ‘Wicked: For Good.’
The English actor started his entertainment career as a theater actor, playing Tiny Tim, young Scrooge, and Gavroche in productions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Les Miserable’ in London and West End, respectively. He made his TV debut in the period drama ‘Bramwell.’
Aside from film and TV, he continues to be active in theatrical productions, with ‘Richard II,’ ‘Cock,’ and ‘Company’ as his recent appearances as a stage actor.
Bailey came out as gay to his closest friends and family in his early 20s, although he went public with his sexuality in 2018. Six years after publicly coming out, he launched the LGBTQIA+ centered charity The Shameless Fund.
Some of the Sexiest Man awardees that People recognized through the years are Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Idris Elba, Blake Shelton, and Dwayne Johnson, among many others.