Jonathan Bailey is leaning into his latest role as People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”
“It’s a huge honor,” the 37-year-old actor said in his cover story. “Obviously, I’m incredibly honored. And absolutely ridiculous.”
Asked if he was ready for the title of “Internet’s Boyfriend,” Bailey sheepishly replied, “I don’t know about that. There are a lot of them, right?”
He is aware of the public’s desire, but tries not to let it get to his head.
“I think sometimes I get really drawn into it,” he explained, adding, “I might read[online comments]once a month. I might dive in.”
The British native, who has appeared in “Wicked,” “Bridgerton” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” appeared on Monday’s episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” shortly after he was announced by Page Six as this year’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”
“It’s the honor of a lifetime,” he told host Fallon, before joking, “And I just want to say, Jimmy, thank you so much for saying no for me to be here.”
Ms. Bailey recalled receiving the news while starring in the title role in a modern-dress production of Shakespeare’s “Richard II” in London.
“For those who don’t know, this is not a comedy,” he told the audience, adding, “I was hollowing myself out on stage every night.”
Although he was “in the zone” for the very serious play, he admitted, “The only thing more frustrating than doing ‘Richard II’ was being asked to do this play.”
Bailey went on to reveal that she drunkenly spilled the secret to her friends, who reacted in disbelief with, “Yes, yes, yes, affirmations.”
Giving a cheeky nod to the honor of being the first openly gay man, he added: “I’m kind of thrilled that in 2025, People magazine is inviting someone to come and bestow this honor on someone who really values sexy men.”
