Jonathan Bailey Is the Sexiest Man Alive 2025! (We Know, We Nailed It.)

Jonathan Bailey knows how to bring the heat. Literally. After diving into the frigid ocean off a beach south of London for this cover shoot (his idea), he sits down in a cable knit sweater and requests a glass of Bordeaux (this writer joins him as well), and within minutes everyone in the room looks flushed.

It’s also quickly obvious why the English actor, 37, brimming with charm, wit and almost unfairly handsome looks, has become one of the most irresistible stars in Hollywood. And yet he’s still getting used to all the fuss.

Asked when he first realized his fame was growing, Bailey recalls a moment in 2020 shortly after the steamy Netflix series Bridgerton catapulted him into the spotlight. “I had the radio set for my alarm, and one morning it went off with, ‘Here’s the news at 7. But just before we go, can we talk about Jonathan Bailey?’ ” the actor says with an incredulous laugh. “I was like, ‘Where is my journal? Is this real?’ It was wild.”

He’s going to need a bigger journal. In the past five years Bailey has captured hearts as Lord Anthony on Bridgerton and earned an Emmy nomination for his role as a closeted congressional staffer in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers. Then, of course, there’s his 2024 big-screen debut as Prince Fiyero in the movie musical megahit Wicked, followed by this summer’s blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth.

The actor has been grateful to work alongside “brilliant” talent like Matt Bomer, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Scarlett Johansson. Based on photos of him with his costars (always hugging, sometimes kissing), the feeling appears to be very mutual.

Bailey, who was raised in rural Oxfordshire with three older sisters by his mom, Carole, and dad, Stuart, knew he wanted to be an actor at age 5 after seeing a performance of Oliver! with his grandmother.

At 7, he was performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and has continued to master his craft both on stage and screen ever since.

Ahead of the finale, Wicked: For Good, hitting theaters Nov. 21, “Jonno,” as his close friends call him, is enjoying the last few weeks of calm before the fan-frenzied storm begins again. “You get to a point where you look back and you go, ‘Wow,’ but you never for a second think that’s where you’re headed,” he says. “You know, to be able to do things that you dream of.”

So what did you think when you heard you were being given the Sexiest Man Alive crown? 

It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd. [Laughs] It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out.

You really haven’t told anyone? 

I told my dog Benson [who joined him at the shoot]. But no, I haven’t. How do you spell . . . NDA? 

Who do you think will give you the most grief?

I think a lot of my friends will. They’ll be furious that I haven’t told them. And then they’ll just squeal with delight. They’ve seen me grow up. Behind the mask of being identified as a sexy man are other truths that they know and they’ve witnessed. They know the secrets.

What were you like as a kid? 

I was really enthusiastic, probably quite annoying. Hard to calm down. I don’t think I ever thought of myself as sexy as I grew up. 

When did you start being comfortable in your skin? 

At various moments in my life I’ve been like, “I’ve got this,” which is sometimes met by a deep spike of fear and self-doubt. When I was really young, I was very confident about who I was, and maybe I lost that as I grew up. We’re all sort of trying to get back to the origin, aren’t we? But I was swimming in the sea about an hour ago with a good gang, and I felt all right in my skin. 

And now you’re the Sexiest Man Alive. Is there anything you’ve failed at but learned from? 

I didn’t finish open university, where you study from home. I signed up for about nine different courses, not realizing if you didn’t finish them, you get expelled. So I didn’t finish my volcanoes and tsunami course, or my Leonardo da Vinci course. I did finish my music course, but just at that point, I got expelled. Hopefully that’ll be something I can go back to.

Do you really think you will? 

I do, yeah. I want to know . . . what happens with volcanoes. [Laughs]

Is there a hobby you wish you had? 

I wish I could play the cello. I started having lessons, and it was pretty harsh. And languages — I couldn’t grasp languages. You know, I can speak [in French] about my house. That I get a bus to school and that I’ve got a cat. And I do actually [say that] . . . after a glass of red. If I’m in France. 

Take us through a typical day off. 

I get up, go for a walk, have coffee. Go see friends or listen to loads of music, always got headphones near me. And then maybe watch a film or maybe go to the theater.

What does a perfect date night entail? 

Oh God, it totally depends. I love a walk, I do love dinner, theater, 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.

What traits are most important when it comes to being 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. 

Any deal-breakers? 

The opposite of those. Bad communication, lack of transparency. Doesn’t like Lego. Actually, I’ll only be with somebody who can speak three languages. Yeah, and they’ve got seven degrees and a doctorate. Otherwise they’re just not good enough. [Laughs]

When’s the last time you were moved to tears? 

Well, I did see Wicked: For Good yesterday. But beyond watching my own work, in a good way I get moved to tears by family quite a lot. Like my niece was pupil of the week, and I was just so proud of her. And she’s the eldest of the next gen of Baileys. And that made me well up. In fact, all my sisters, when they send pictures of their kids — I do find family does make me really emotional.

Do you see yourself as a dad someday? 

Yeah. If the planets align, for sure. I feel like in the world that we live in now, everyone’s going to need a bit of guidance. Although I’d be terrible at getting them through university. And they would not be able to speak another language. But maybe they will, and that’s how I’ll learn. 

What’s your worst habit? 

I’m an overthinker. My brain goes off sometimes like the Fourth of July.

Do you ever read comments on Instagram? 

I try not to. I think sometimes you get really sucked in. But it’s much rarer 1762232533.

Before you became the Internet’s boyfriend? 

I don’t know about that. There’s so many of them, right? I think maybe back in the day, it was like free speech, say what you like. But I might read it once a month. I might dive in.

Who was your first celeb crush? 

I’d say Prince Eric [from The Little Mermaid], but also Trini in Power Rangers. I remember accidentally throwing two garden tools over the fence trying to be her. 

What advice would you give to your 15-year-old self? 

Dude, you’re in for a ride. You’re not going to believe where you’re going to end up. It’s all going to be fine. It’ll be bumpy, but you’ll meet some amazing people. And trust your instincts because they’ve got your back.

How would you describe your life now? 

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.