Jonathan Bailey first openly gay man named People's Sexiest Man Alive

Jonathan Bailey has been named the first ever openly gay People's Sexiest Man Alive as he succeeds controversial awardee John Krasinski.

The 37-year-old British actor is having a massive year as he recently starred alongside Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth and later this year can be seen in highly-anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good.

The news was unveiled on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday night as the two covers of the upcoming issue of the weekly were also released.

On the chat show, he called the title 'the honor of a lifetime' before revealing that he was 'still giggling' about being the cover star.

He also touched on being the first ever openly gay man to earn the honor as he told the host: 'In 2025, I'm sort of thrilled that People magazine have invited someone in, to bestow this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man.'

In the pages of the cover story, he shared his reaction to finding out he was being given the People Sexiest Man Alive crown.

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He said: 'It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd. [Laughs] It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out.'

Bailey is likely best known for his work as Prince Fiyero in Wicked as he portrays the love-interest to Ariana Grande's character Glinda and has an interesting possibly romantic dynamic with Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba.

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The openly-gay star also sent tongues wagging earlier this year as he shared multiple kisses with his Jurassic World Rebirth co-star Johansson, 40.

He is also known for starring as Anthony, also known as Lord Bridgerton, in popular Netflix romance series Bridgerton.

Jonathan's career in television and film began long before his work on the streaming series.

He first appeared on screen in 1997 when he starred in the British television series, Bramwell, when he was just nine years old.

He went on to have bit parts in various procedurals, including The Bill and Lewis.

Jonathan starred alongside David Tennant and Olivia Colman in the British crime drama Broadchurch, which ran on ITV for three series between 2013 and 2017.

He also had featured heavily in the mockumentary sitcom W1A between 2014 and 2017, as well as the comedy, Crashing, created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

On the big screen, Jonathan appeared in the 2007 comedy film St Trinian's.

He was among the cast for Permanent Vacation and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, which were both released that same year.

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Jonathan is the recipient of a Laurence Olivier Award and a Critics' Choice Television Award.

He achieved the Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2019 for his performance in the musical Company.

In 2024, he won the Critics' Choice Television Award for best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries for Fellow Travellers.

Last year, John Krasinski was named as People magazine's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive on the Late Show With Steven Colbert which was met with a bit of controversy.

After the 46-year-old heartthrob was announced as last year's winner, fans had a divided reaction on social media. 

'John Krasinski sexiest man alive? Hmmmm I'm not sure,' one wrote.

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Richard Gere have all been crowned Sexiest Man Alive twice.

Other past winners include Michael B. Jordan (2020), John Legend (2019), Idris Elba (2018), Blake Shelton (2017), Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (2016), David Beckham (2015), Chris Hemsworth (2014), Adam Levine (2013), Channing Tatum (2012), Bradley Cooper (2011) and Ryan Reynolds (2010).

The earlier decade in the 2000s brought forward wins by Johnny Depp (2009), Hugh Jackman (2008), Matt Damon (2007), George Clooney (2006), Matthew McConaughey (2005), Jude Law (2004), Johnny Depp (2003), Ben Affleck (2002), Pierce Brosnan (2001) and Brad Pitt (2000).

The 1990s brought covers for Richard Gere (1999), Harrison Ford (1998), George Clooney (1997), Denzel Washington (1996), Brad Pitt (1995), Nick Nolte (1992), the late Patrick Swayze (1991) and Tom Cruise (1990). There was no winner named in 1994 and then-couple Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford was named the Sexiest Couple Alive in 1993.

The first decade of the annual honor, the 1980s, saw the Sexiest Man Alive named as the late Sean Connery in 1989, the late John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1988, Harry Hamlin in 1987, and Mark Harmon in 1986.

People magazine named its first Sexiest Man Alive in February 1985 when it picked then 29-year-old Mel Gibson for the honor.