British actor Jonathan Bailey, 37, was chosen by the U.S. entertainment magazine People as the "Sexiest Man Alive in 2025."
People on the 3rd (local time) released an online photo spread and interview featuring Bailey, and The Associated Press and others followed with the news on the 4th. In the People interview, he said he dreamed of becoming an actor after seeing the musical "Oliver!" with his grandmother when he was 5. He said he achieved that dream just two years later by performing with the elite British troupe Royal Shakespeare Company, and then steadily built his stage career.
Bailey gained worldwide popularity by appearing in the Netflix drama "Bridgerton" series, and last year helped drive box-office success with a significant role in the musical film "Wicked." For the 2023 U.S. drama "Fellow Travelers," in which he appeared, he was also nominated for outstanding supporting actor at the Emmy Awards, the highest honor in broadcasting.
People has selected the sexiest man every year since starting with Mel Gibson in 1985. The oldest honoree was Sean Connery, chosen at age 59 in 1989, and the youngest honorees were John F. Kennedy Jr. and Tom Cruise, each chosen at age 27 in 1988 and 1990. Actors such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, and Pierce Brosnan, as well as sports star David Beckham, have also been selected.