This year’s sexiest man alive is Johnathan Bailey, best known for Bridgerton and Wicked. Now the first ever openly gay actor to earn this title. In his cover story, Bailey says, “Obviously, I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd.” (Page Six) Even though he called this title absurd, fans across social media celebrated this milestone as a huge win for representation.
Bailey officially revealed the news during an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. When asked if he told anyone about this accomplishment, he joked, saying that the only “person” he told was his dog, Benson (RollingStone). Jokes aside, Bailey could not turn down something that was so important to the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “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” (People).
When students were asked about their opinion on this announcement, the reactions were only positive. Sara Cays, a sophomore, notes, “It’s really cool to see someone break the usual mold and get recognized like this; this is a really great thing.” Amelia Remo, another sophomore here at Ramapo, added, “Not only is Bailey giving the representation that the LGBTQ community needs, but he is also creating a future for young people to finally feel seen and accepted.”
Bailey is also known for his advocacy work, specifically in founding The Shameless Fund, which is an LGBTQ+ charity that raises money through collaborations and supports international queer non-profits (The Shameless Fund).
With Wicked: For Good coming out this month, Bailey’s presence is only continuing to rise. Whether it’s his stage work on the Royal Shakespeare Company or his popular roles on-screen, Bailey’s new title only confirms him as one of 2025’s most influential figures.
