Jonathan Bailey is breaking ground as People‘s Sexiest Man Alive.
The Wicked: For Good actor is the first out gay man to hold the title, which in the past has been given to John Krasinski, Patrick Dempsey, John Legend, Idris Elba, Dwayne Johnson, David Beckham, Richard Gere, and Channing Tatum.
The news was revealed Monday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with Bailey appearing with a blown-up version of the cover. “It’s the honor of a lifetime,” he told the late-night host.
It’s been a banner year for Bailey, who has helmed blockbusters like Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth in addition to being named to the Time 100 Next list (as well as the People cover). He’s also raised significant capital for LGBTQ+ causes through his Shameless Fund nonprofit. The English actor first gained mainstream fame as a star of Netflix’s Bridgerton and a lead in the Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers, which earned him an Emmy nomination (as well as an Out cover and a place on the Out100).
Reflecting on his success, Bailey told People, “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.”
“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,” he said. “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.”
To People, Bailey opened up about his personal life, including his idea of a “perfect date night.” “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,” he shared.
The qualities he seeks in a partner? “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.”
The qualities he doesn’t like? “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.”
In his interview, Bailey revealed his first celebrity crush was Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. And he also offered some advice to his younger 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.”
“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.”
See congratulations from Bailey’s Wicked cast mates as well as his own reaction below.
This article originally appeared on Out: Jonathan Bailey makes gay history as People’s Sexiest Man Alive
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