Something has changed for "Wicked" star Jonathan Bailey, something is not the same — he is People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.
The magazine's pick was announced Monday night on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Bailey takes the mantle from "The Office" and "Jack Ryan" star John Krasinski, who was the 2024 selection.
"It's a huge honor," Bailey, 37, told the magazine. "Obviously, I'm incredibly flattered. And it's completely absurd."
Jonathan Bailey poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Wicked" on Nov. 18, 2024, in London.
Bailey had audiences swooning as Prince Fiyero in his 2024 big-screen debut in "Wicked," the popular movie musical in which he proudly urges fellow students to join him in his shallowness. The second half arrives in theaters Nov. 21.
He dripped with charm as Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Netflix's "Bridgerton," and earned a 2024 Emmy nomination for his role in the Showtime series "Fellow Travelers." Most recently, he starred in "Jurassic World Rebirth," which came out in July.
People are also reading…
Bailey told Fallon that the title was an "honor of a lifetime."
"I'm sort of thrilled that People magazine have invited someone in — bestowed this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man," he said.
Jonathan Bailey attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" premiere June 23, at Lincoln Center in New York.
Bailey told People that he's known he wanted to be an actor since he was 5 years old and his grandmother took him to see a production of the musical "Oliver!" Within two years, he had achieved that dream, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He's had plenty of stage credits since then, including starring in Shakespeare's Richard II in London earlier this year.
Bailey, who has spoken openly about being a gay actor, founded The Shameless Fund, which helps to support LGBTQ+ organizations.
"I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment," he said. "So it's been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of."
Bailey, who will be the cover story in People's edition coming out Friday, had to stay tight-lipped about the news. But he admitted to the magazine that he couldn't keep it a complete secret — he shared the news with his dog, Benson, who will also be featured in the magazine.
The first Sexiest Man Alive was Mel Gibson in 1985. Other past recipients include Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John F. Kennedy Jr., David Beckham, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Rudd, Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Dempsey.
This is every 'Sexiest Man Alive' winner since 1985
1985: Mel Gibson
In 1985, Mel Gibson was named as People magazine's first "sexiest man alive." He's shown here at the 40th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 11, 1987.
1986: Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon, 1986's "sexiest man alive" according to People magazine, is shown here with Pam Dawber at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 1987.
1987: Harry Hamlin
Harry Hamlin was named the 1987 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with Laura Johnson at the 1987 Emmy Awards.
1988: John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John F. Kennedy, Jr. was chosen as People's 1988 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here as guest on a talk show at WVOX radio in New Rochelle May 16, 1989.
1989: Sean Connery
Sean Connery was named 1989's "sexiest man alive." At age 59, he is People magazine's oldest choice for the designation.
He's shown here discussing an upcoming scene with director Fred Schepisi and Michelle Pfeiffer during a break in filming in Moscow of "The Russian House," based on the spy novel by John Le Carre, Oct. 13, 1989.
1990: Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was chosen as People's 1990 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here with Michelle Pfeiffer at the 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 21, 1990.
1991: Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze, 1991's "sexiest man alive," is shown here with singer Mariah Carey on the set of Saturday Night Live during rehearsal Thursday, Oct. 25, 1990.
1992: Nick Nolte
Nick Nolte was chosen as 1992's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with Thandie Newton, left and Greta Scacchi, second left, at the festival Palace in Cannes, French Riviera on Saturday May 20, 1995.
1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford
People magazine changed it up in 1993 and awarded a "sexiest couple alive" rather than "sexiest man alive." The honor went to Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, who are shown here as they enter Lincoln Center in New York on May 2, 1994 for the 1994 Humanitarian Award from T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer, and AIDS Research.
1994: Keanu Reeves
People magazine originally did not choose a "sexiest man alive" in 2004. However, the magazine retroactively awarded the honor to Keanu Reeves in 2015.
1995: Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt was named 1995's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with the award he received for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for "12 Monkeys" at the Golden Globe Awards, Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996.
1996: Denzel Washington
Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington laughs as he watches a group of Harvard University students spoof a scene from one of his movies Saturday, Feb. 24, 1996. Washington was named People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for that year.
1997: George Clooney
George Clooney and girlfriend Celine Balitran are cheered by the crowd as they arrive at the world premiere of "Batman & Robin," Thursday, June 12, 1997. Clooney was chosen as People magazine's "sexiest man alive" that year. He received the honor for a second time in 2009.
1998: Harrison Ford
"Six Days, Seven Nights" stars Anne Heche and Harrison Ford pose together at the premiere of the film, Monday, June 8, 1998, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Harrison was chosen as the "sexiest man alive" by People magazine for 1998.
1999: Richard Gere
Actor Richard Gere shows his hands to the crowd after putting them in wet concrete Monday, July 26, 1999 in front of the Mann's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. The star of "Pretty Woman," "An Officer and a Gentleman," and "American Gigolo" was chosen as 1999's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. It was his second time receiving the honor.
2000: Brad Pitt
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt arrive at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Pitt was chosen as that year's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine.
2001: Pierce Brosnan
Actor Pierce Brosnan speaks at a news conference Thursday, April 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, Calif. Brosnan was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2001.
2002: Ben Affleck
Actor Ben Affleck, left, is joined by his co-star from the film "The Sum of All Fears" Bridget Moynahan as they pose for photographers after arriving at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2002. Affleck was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2002.
2003: Johnny Depp
Actor Johnny Depp poses for a portrait June 21, 2003, in Los Angeles. Depp was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2003. He would later receive the honor for a second time in 2009.
2004: Jude Law
British actor Jude Law, nominated for best actor in a drama for his work in "Cold Mountain," arrives for the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Law was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2004.
2005: Matthew McConaughey
Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives at the premiere of "Two for the Money" in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 26, 2005. He was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2005.
2006: George Clooney
Actor George Clooney wears a crown and "Sexiest Man Alive" sash presented to him by NBC "Today" television show co-host Matt Lauer, during the taping of an interview, in New York, Friday Dec. 1, 2006. Clooney was promoting his new movie "The Good German."
2007: Matt Damon
Actor Matt Damon arrives to the premiere of "The Bourne Ultimatum" in Los Angeles, in this, July 25, 2007, file photo. Damon was named the 2007 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. Damon said the honor came as a surprise.
2008: Hugh Jackman
Actor Hugh Jackman presents during the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute awards show, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. He was named People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2008.
2009: Johnny Depp
In this Nov. 17, 2009 file photo, actor Johnny Depp attends The Museum of Modern Art's film benefit tribute to Tim Burton in New York. Depp was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.
2010: Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds arrives during the 82nd Academy Awards Sunday, March 7, 2010, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Reynolds was chosen as People Magazine's 2010 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2011: Bradley Cooper
In this Sept. 6, 2011 file photo, actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. Cooper was named People Magazine's sexiest man alive for 2011.
2012: Channing Tatum
People Magazine named Channing Tatum, star of films such as "21 Jump Street" and "Magic Mike," the Sexiest Man Alive in November 2012.
2013: Adam Levine
In this Feb. 7, 2013 file photo, recording artist Adam Levine attends the launch of "Adam Levine Signature Fragrances" at Macy's Westfield Century City, in Century City, Calif. Levine was named Sexiest Man Alive 2013 by People magazine announced Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. He is a coach on the NBC's hit series, "The Voice."
2014: Chris Hemsworth
In this July 26, 2014 file photo, Chris Hemsworth attends the Marvel press line at Comic-Con International in San Diego. People magazine named Chris Hemsworth the “Sexiest Man Alive” of 2014, cheering the Australian actor’s rise as hammer-wielding, bona fide hunk in the “Thor” films.
2015: David Beckham
In this Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, file photo, David Beckham poses for photographers upon arrival at the Pride of Britain Awards 2015 in London. Despite his nearly two decades as an international sex symbol, British soccer star Beckham said he's still flattered to be named People magazine's 30th-anniversary Sexiest Man Alive.
2016: Dwayne Johnson
In this June 10, 2016 file photo, Dwayne Johnson attends the premiere of his film, "Central Intelligence" in Los Angeles. Johnson was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine on Nov. 15, 2016.
2017: Blake Shelton
FILE - This June 7, 2016 file photo shows Blake Shelton performing at the 12th Annual Stars for Second Harvest Benefit at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Shelton was named as People magazine's 2017 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2018: Idris Elba
In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, actor-director Idris Elba poses for a portrait to promote his film "Yardie" at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. On Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, Elba was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.
2019: John Legend
This Feb. 24, 2019 file photo shows John Legend at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. People magazine has named Legend as the sexiest man alive in their special double issue on newsstands nationwide on Nov. 15.
2020: Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan has been crowned as 2020's Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. Known for his critically-acclaimed performances in "Fruitvale Station," "Creed" and "Black Panther," he was revealed as this year's winner Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
2021: Paul Rudd
Actor Paul Rudd poses for a portrait during press day for "Ant-Man and The Wasp" at The Langham Huntington on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. Rudd has been crowned as 2021’s Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. Rudd, known for his starring roles in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” films, “This is 40” and the cult classic “Clueless,” was revealed as this year’s winner Tuesday night, Nov. 9, 2021, on CBS’ "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
2022: Chris Evans
Chris Evans may have put down Captain America's shield but he's got a new badge of honor: he's been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.
2023: Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey
2024: John Krasinski
John Krasinski was named 2024's Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. He's shown here at the UK Premiere of the film 'IF' in London, May 7, 2024.
2025: Jonathan Bailey
“Wicked” star Jonathan Bailey is People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. He's shown here at the premiere of the film "Wicked" on Nov. 18, 2024, in London.
