Jonathan Bailey, the British actor whose rise has been nothing short of meteoric, has been crowned the 2025 “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine, an honor revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. At 37, Bailey—best known for his turn as Lord Anthony in Bridgerton and his recent portrayal of Prince Fiyero in the blockbuster Wicked adaptation—steps into a list that has long been dominated by Hollywood’s most polished leading men.
In his remarks, Bailey described the accolade as “an honour of a lifetime” and admitted with a laugh that it felt “completely absurd.” His reaction was warm, grounded and reflective, capturing the very qualities that have endeared him to fans around the world: charm, authenticity and a clear sense of self in an industry that often demands otherwise.
Bailey’s journey to this moment is rich with theater training, screen success and personal advocacy. He began acting as a child, apprenticing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and gradually built a reputation for versatility and depth—whether in dramatic roles, musicals or romantic lead parts. In Bridgerton he charmed global audiences, and in Wicked he brought musical-movie spectacle back into the mainstream, offering a performance that combined star presence with surprising emotional nuance.
But it is not just his career trajectory that sets him apart—it is his place in the cultural landscape. As an openly gay actor who has embraced roles both queer and straight with equal conviction, Bailey represents a new image of the modern leading man: confident but approachable, glamorous but grounded. In the feature accompanying the honour, he spoke about his ideal date night—dinner, theater, walking—and even joked about Lego nights, expressing that even the “Sexiest Man Alive” has simple pleasures. He also shared his commitment to social causes, founding The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ organizations, and has made it clear that his star power comes with a sense of responsibility.
This year’s selection resonates for more than just its cover photo. It signals a shift in how stardom, attractiveness and representation intersect in popular culture. Bailey joins a pantheon of previous honorees—men such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Paul Rudd—but he also brings a fresh narrative: that of an actor whose magnetism is matched by introspection and who carries his platform with humility rather than hubris.
As the cameras flashed during the announcement, one could sense the duality at play: here is a man being celebrated for his outward appeal and his talent, but also for his inward integrity and the example he sets. The designation of “sexiest” is often dismissed as frivolous, yet in Bailey’s case it feels earned because it reflects more than a physical ideal—it reflects a career of craft, a character of substance and a presence that transcends the screen.
In the coming weeks, Bailey will appear on the magazine’s cover and participate in an accompanying interview in which he elaborates on his career, his values and his vision for the future. He has a number of high-profile projects in the pipeline, and tonight’s recognition only amplifies the stakes: the expectation is not merely that he remains the sex symbol of the moment, but that he continues to evolve as an artist and as a human being.
For fans, colleagues and the broader industry, Jonathan Bailey’s naming as People’s 2025 “Sexiest Man Alive” is a celebration of talent and transformation. It is a nod to his past, a spotlight on his present and a promise of what’s to come. In one swift turn of events, the actor who once thrilled theater audiences in London is now being heralded on a global stage. And with that, the lights are brighter and the moment is his.
