English actor Jonathan Bailey has made history as the first out gay man to be named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.
The 37-year-old star is best known for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, and for his performances in Jurassic World Rebirth, Wicked, and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good.
Past winners of the title have included Patrick Dempsey, John Legend, John Krasinski, Idris Elba, Dwayne Johnson, David Beckham, Richard Gere, and Channing Tatum.
“Flattered – and It’s Completely Absurd”
Bailey told People about the Sexiest Man Alive title: “Obviously I’m incredibly flattered,” before adding with a laugh, “And it’s completely absurd.”
When asked to describe his perfect date, he said:
“I love a walk, I do love dinner, theatre, films. It depends what number date. You know, if it’s like date 100, then like Legos — although we Brits say it singular, ‘Lego’ — and pizza. Some of my best dates have been Lego dates.”
Bailey revealed that his first celebrity crushes were Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid and Trini from Power Rangers.
Love, Communication and Cheerleading
In the interview, Bailey opened up about what he believes is most important in a relationship:
“Communication — and being clear. Transparency is absolutely utmost, utmost, utmost. And really supporting, really cheerleading and watching someone thrive should be a real turn-on.”
Supporting LGBTQ+ Lives Through the Shameless Fund
The actor also spoke about his charity, the Shameless Fund, which raises money to support international, national, and grassroots organisations working towards a world where LGBTQ+ people can live and love freely without discrimination or shame.
“I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment,” Bailey said. “So it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of.”
From Child Star to Leading Man
Born in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Bailey began performing as a child with the Royal Shakespeare Company and, by the age of eight, was playing Gavroche in a West End production of Les Misérables.
He publicly came out as gay in 2018. Over his career, Bailey has won a Laurence Olivier Award and a Critics’ Choice Television Award, and has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
