Looks like the ton has officially spoken — Jonathan Bailey is People’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive! The Bridgertonheartthrob and Wicked: For Good star was unveiled as this year’s honoree during the November 3rd episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and honestly? Society may never recover.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime,” Bailey told Fallon, who cheekily noted that he’d been named the magazine’s Sexiest Game Show Host this year. Ever quick with the charm, Bailey added, “Jimmy, thank you so much for turning it down so that I could be here.”
Of course, before the big reveal, Jonathan couldn’t resist trying to leak the news himself. “They were like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do your affirmations,’” he laughed. The 37-year-old actor admitted even he’s still trying to process it all, telling People, “Obviously, I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd.”
Still, the moment isn’t lost on him — nor is the chance to poke fun at it. When Fallon asked if he thought the title would change how people treat him, Bailey deadpanned, “I f–king hope so!”
Bailey’s win follows 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive, John Krasinski, who reacted to the honor with total disbelief. “Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts,” Krasinski said last year. “Other than maybe I’m being punked.” The Officealum joked, “That’s not how I wake up, thinking, ‘Is this the day that I’ll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?’”
But this year’s celebration isn’t just about Bailey’s smolder. People also revealed their 2025 Readers’ Choice winners — and it’s a sexy lineup indeed. Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough was crowned Sexiest 40-Year-Old, while contestant Dylan Efron snagged Sexiest Tattoos. San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, husband to Olivia Culpo, was named Sexiest New Dad in Sports after welcoming daughter Colette in July. And up-and-coming actor Mason Thames (Regretting You) took home the title of Sexiest New Heartthrob.
With that much talent — and that many abs — it’s fair to say People’s 2025 issue is heating up newsstands everywhere.
