Jonathan Bailey, the breakout star of Bridgerton and the upcoming Wicked films, has been officially crowned People Magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ for 2025. The announcement marks a historic moment as Bailey becomes the first openly gay man to receive the coveted title in the award’s 40-year history.
Bailey, who plays Prince Fiyero in the Wicked musical drama, received an outpouring of support and celebration from his elated castmates.
The Wicked Cast’s Thrillifying Celebration
The official X account for the Wicked musical drama shared a viral video clip capturing the celebratory reaction of the cast and director. The ensemble, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and director Jon M. Chu, were all seen joyfully wearing T-shirts or sweaters emblazoned with photos of the new ‘Sexiest Man Alive.’
The cast shared effusive praise for their co-star:
- Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard) offered cosmic congratulations, stating, “He is the sexiest man not only on this planet, but in the solar system, in the universe, in any multiverse.”
- Ariana Grande (Glinda) added a heartfelt compliment, saying, “You are also the kindest, and the most brilliant and beautiful inside as well!” She concluded the video by proclaiming that she would wear her tribute T-shirt “all the time.”
- Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) chimed in, noting that while the world now knows the fact, she has personally “known it for long.”
On Making History and Public Life
The 37-year-old British actor’s win is viewed as a significant step for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. Bailey, who first came out privately to his family and friends in his early 20s before publicly confirming his sexuality in 2018, spoke on his decision to be open about his life.
“If I can fill spaces that I didn’t have growing up then I feel like that’s a really brilliant thing,” Bailey said about going public with his sexuality.
Reflecting on the honor itself, the actor shared his initial surprise and delight with People magazine:
“It’s a huge honour. 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 stated.
He also revealed a charming secret: the first “soul” he shared the news with wasn’t a human, but his beloved canine companion. “I told my dog Benson [who joined him at the shoot]. But no, I haven’t. How do you spell . . . NDA?” he quipped, referencing the secrecy surrounding the title.
Bailey’s Recent Acclaim
In the last few years, Jonathan Bailey has become a global star, largely due to his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton. He has also received critical acclaim for his powerful performance in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers. His recent high-profile film roles include Jurassic World: Rebirth and the highly anticipated two-part movie musical Wicked.