Jonathan Bailey has officially been crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. The announcement was made Monday night during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where Bailey accepted the title with humor and grace.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime,” Bailey said, jokingly adding, “And I want to say, Jimmy, thank you so much for turning it down so I could be here.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of PEOPLE’s iconic Sexiest Man Alive issue. During the show, Fallon revealed Bailey’s two covers — one featuring the Bridgerton star waist-deep in the ocean, and another of him shirtless and holding a fluffy dog.
Bailey revealed that he first learned of the honor earlier this year while performing in a stage production of Shakespeare’s Richard II.
“The only thing madder than doing Richard II was being invited into this,” he said. “I’m thrilled that PEOPLE has chosen someone who can truly appreciate what it means to be a sexy man in 2025.”
When Fallon asked if he expected life to change after receiving the title, Bailey quipped, “I f—ing hope so.”
Bailey rose to fame in 2020 as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton. He’s since transitioned to major film roles, playing Prince Fiyero in Wicked and Dr. Henry Loomis in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
The Sexiest Man Alive tradition began in 1985 with Mel Gibson as the inaugural honoree. Last year’s title went to John Krasinski, joining a list of past winners that includes Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, and John Legend.
