People magazine names Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey the Sexiest Man Alive 2025. See what he said about winning the title.
Jonathan Bailey, best known for playing Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton, has been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. The British actor beat out fan favorite stars to claim the title. Other recipients include (via Variety):
Patrick Dempsey
Chris Evans
Paul Rudd
John Legend
Michael B. Jordan
The announcement was made on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday night. Fallon revealed Bailey’s two People magazine covers, one showing the actor chest-deep in a rocky ocean and another featuring him shirtless with a fluffy dog.
Bailey, 37, succeeds The Office and Jack Ryan star John Krasinski, who held the 2024 title. Bailey is also the first openly gay actor to win this title. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the People’s Sexiest Man Alive tradition, which began in 1985 with Mel Gibson as the first honoree.
The Oxfordshire-born actor began his career as a child performer and later became an acclaimed stage actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company and London’s West End. He rose to global fame in 2020 as the eldest Bridgerton sibling in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Bailey earned praise for his charming performance and undeniable chemistry with co-star Simone Ashley.
What Did Jonathan Bailey Say About Winning The Sexiest Man Alive Title?
On winning the title, Bailey told PEOPLE:
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.
The actor admitted he had kept the news secret from almost everyone except his dog, who was also featured in the shoot, “I told my dog Benson, but no, I haven’t told anyone else. How do you spell… NDA?” he joked.
In his interview with Jimmy Fallon on Monday, he said,
It’s an honor of a lifetime. And I want to say, Jimmy, thank you so much for turning it down so I could be here.
When asked whether people will treat him differently after the announcement, Bailey jokingly replied, “I f**king hope so.”
That’s the charm and wit that made him a fan favorite since his breakout role on Bridgerton.
Jonathan Bailey Learned About the Sexiest Man Alive Title in Early 2025
Bailey first found out about the honor earlier this year while performing in Shakespeare’s Richard II in London. He said,
The only thing madder than doing Richard II was to be invited into this.
Bailey also said he was proud to represent a different kind of leading man. He added, “And also, in 2025, I’m thrilled that People magazine has invited someone in to bestow this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man.”
Beyond television, Bailey has performed in major movie roles. He starred as Prince Fiyero in Wicked and Dr. Henry Loomis in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
With this win, Jonathan Bailey joins an elite list of past Sexiest Man Alive honorees, including Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum, David Beckham, Idris Elba, and more.
The world can’t get enough of Jonathan Bailey. What are your thoughts on Bailey’s win of the Sexiest Man Alive title? Let us know your thoughts.
