Jonathan Bailey has made history as People magazine’s first openly gay man to be named Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. The announcement was made on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where Bailey, 37, expressed his delight and gratitude, describing the honour as ‘the honour of a lifetime’ and admitting he was ‘still giggling’ about the recognition. His playful comment about cherishing ‘the value of a sexy man’ resonated as a subtle nod to a long-awaited shift in representation for the LGBTQ+ community.
Bailey’s rise to this prestigious title is rooted in a remarkably successful year that has elevated his profile across a range of genres and platforms. He gained widespread acclaim for his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in the smash Netflix series Bridgerton, which cemented his status as a romantic lead. Further critical praise came with a 2024 Emmy nomination for his performance in the limited drama Fellow Travelers. Additionally, Bailey starred in Jurassic World Rebirth, embracing blockbuster territory, and showcased his charismatic stage presence as Fiyero in the 2024 film adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked. He is set to reprise this role in the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, slated for release on 21 November 2025, alongside stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The film recently premiered in São Paulo, maintaining momentum and anticipation ahead of its wide release.
While People’s coverage acknowledged Bailey’s major roles in series like Bridgerton and projects like Wicked and Jurassic World, some fans noticed a surprising omission: Bailey’s notable voice work in the beloved video game Final Fantasy 14. He voices the character G’raha Tia, a popular ‘catboy’ who has been playfully dubbed ‘Eorzea’s Sexiest Man Alive’ by fans.
Source: Noah Wire Services
