NEED TO KNOW
Cynthia Erivo is well aware that Jonathan Bailey’s future is unlimited.
Bailey, 37, was revealed to be PEOPLE’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive on Nov. 3 — and his Wicked costar wasn’t the least bit surprised. “Yes, he definitely is,” she told Access Hollywood. “I know that for sure, yes.”
Erivo, 38, Ariana Grande, 32, and the rest of the Wicked cast previously reacted with a compilation video of themselves singing Bailey’s praises while rocking sweatshirts printed with his Sexiest Man Alive photos.
As for how Bailey has been adjusting to the title? He has fully committed to taking on the role with charm, sophistication and grace.
“Some people are born sexy and some people have sexiness thrust upon them,” he said to the outlet. “You know, it’s been a huge honor. I remain a humble servant now for the next year and I will serve as the Sexiest Man to the people before I hand it over to some other absolute … dude.”
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During his reign as the Sexiest Man Alive, Bailey also expressed that he had a short list of wishes for the year: “peace, happiness, kindness, communication and a naughty, naughty time.”
In addition to Erivo’s reaction to Bailey’s new honor, the Bridgerton actor celebrated his new role by singing an assortment of “sexy” songs, including Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing,” with Wicked costar Jeff Goldblum in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“I’m going to squeeze every ounce of sexuality I have for the next 360 days,” Bailey said while pointing at his fellow Jurassic World franchise star. “And, also, I’m representing all the sexy people out there and I feel the weight of history of all the sexy men that came before me.”
“Yes, you stand on the sexy shoulders of giants,” Goldblum, 73, responded. “Sexy giants.”
Jason Hetherington
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For Bailey, however, the Sexiest Man Alive title holds much more meaning in that he, as the first openly gay man to hold the title, is joining the ranks of “sexy men” who have “shifted the way that we understand ourselves in society.”
“There’s nothing sexier than progress,” Bailey told Forbes on Nov. 6. “Of course, there was no way I wasn’t going to step into that corner this year, when the opportunity arose.”
“There’s something about knowing when that invitation came in, it’s amazing to be able to accept it without a second thought, knowing that it’s meaningful and impactful, as well as just an incredible and hilarious honor,” he continued. “It’s not lost on me at all … I know what it means, you know, for me — for little me — and also, for a lot of people out there. It’s a celebratory moment for a lot of people.”
