Jonathan Bailey is “incredibly flattered” after being named PEOPLE magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025.
The Wicked star, 37, was named the hunkiest male celebrity of the year by the publication and he posed for a cover shoot on a beach in his native UK – and Jonathan admits it was a struggle keeping the big news quiet.
He 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 …
“I told my dog Benson. But no, I haven’t [told anyone else]. How do you spell …. NDA?”
He went on to add: “I feel incredibly lucky. Life is a ride for everyone no matter who you are, where you come from. It’s just making sure that when you’re in the ride, you’re looking left and right and making sure everyone’s all right. And give them a high-five along the way if they need it.”
Jonathan also spoke about his new Sexiest Man Alive title during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, joking to the host: “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.”
The actor went on to reveal it is a huge change from how he started the year when he was performing in a production of William Shakespeare’s Richard II in London.
He said: “At the beginning of the year I was doing Shakespeare’s Richard II – for those of you who don’t know, it’s not a comedy …
“[I was] in the zone [when I got the news]. So you go slightly mad, and the only thing madder than doing Richard II is being invited into this.
“And also in 2025, I’m sort of thrilled that People Magazine has invited someone in, to bestow this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man.”
When asked if he thinks people will treat him differently now, Jonathan quipped: “I f****** hope so!”
Jonathan takes over the title from John Krasinski, who was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024. Previous recipients of the honour also include Michael B. Jordan, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Cooper and David Beckham.
