Jonathan Bailey has been named PEOPLE magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, a title he describes as 'incredibly flattering' and 'completely absurd'. The 37-year-old Wicked star posed for a cover shoot on a beach in his native UK, and admitted it was difficult keeping the news secret.
Bailey 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.' He added that he only told his dog Benson, joking about the non-disclosure agreement.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bailey quipped: '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.' He contrasted the honour with his earlier role in Shakespeare's Richard II, noting that the play is 'not a comedy'.
Bailey succeeds John Krasinski as the Sexiest Man Alive, joining a list of past recipients including Michael B. Jordan, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Cooper and David Beckham.
