Jonathan Bailey crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025

Jonathan Bailey earns PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025 title, reflecting on fame, authenticity & activism

English actor Jonathan Bailey has officially been named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, a recognition he describes as both flattering and “completely absurd.” The Bridgerton star joins a long line of Hollywood icons to receive the annual title, acknowledging that even he’s still adjusting to the spotlight.

Photographed for the magazine’s cover south of London, Bailey exuded effortless warmth and humor — even after volunteering to dive into the freezing ocean before wrapping himself in a cable-knit sweater and sharing a glass of Bordeaux with writer Julie Jordan. His signature mix of charm, wit, and humility has made him one of the most magnetic figures in film and television today.

Bailey first realized his fame was rising in 2020, shortly after Bridgerton made its global debut. He recalls waking up to his alarm radio announcing, “Can we talk about Jonathan Bailey?” — a moment that felt surreal to the then newly minted star. Since then, Bailey’s trajectory has only accelerated: he earned an Emmy nomination for Fellow Travelers, dazzled audiences as Prince Fiyero in Wicked, and starred in this year’s blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth.

Raised in rural Oxfordshire, Bailey grew up the youngest of four siblings and began acting at age seven with the Royal Shakespeare Company. His early exposure to theater shaped his lifelong passion for storytelling — and, as he admits, his enduring sense of awkwardness. “I feel awkward quite a lot of the time,” he told PEOPLE, “I think that state is lifelong for me.”

Known for his playful humor, Bailey revealed some personal quirks in the magazine’s “fill-in-the-blank” segment: he’s terrified of snakes, prefers leaving parties early, and believes “every guy should have a gay friend.” Despite his public image, he confessed that he never saw himself as sexy growing up and continues to navigate moments of self-doubt.

Bailey’s humility extends to his private life. The actor shared that only his dog, Benson, knew about the Sexiest Man Alive secret before the announcement — joking, “How do you spell NDA?”

Beyond the screen, Bailey is using his platform to make an impact. In 2024, he founded The Shameless Fund, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ organizations that work to eliminate stigma and promote empowerment. “There are so many people who want to do brilliant things but feel like they can’t,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see their potential.”

When it comes to relationships, Bailey emphasizes honesty and mutual encouragement. “Communication and transparency are absolutely utmost,” he explained. “Watching someone thrive should be a real turn-on.” Asked about deal-breakers, he laughed: “Bad communication. And someone who doesn’t like Lego.”

The actor admits to being an overthinker and occasionally checking social media — though much less than he used to. His family remains a grounding force, often moving him to tears with small moments, like his niece being named “pupil of the week.”

Looking toward the future, Bailey said he hopes to be a father one day if “the planets align,” and dreams of returning to his unfinished Open University studies — including a course on volcanoes he once failed to complete.

Reflecting on his journey, Bailey told PEOPLE he feels “incredibly lucky” for where life has taken him. “It’s a ride for everyone,” he said. “You just have to make sure that when you’re on the ride, you look around and make sure everyone’s all right — and give them a high-five along the way if they need it.”