Jonathan Bailey has been honored as People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. The announcement was made on Monday night during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Bailey succeeds John Krasinski, who held the title in 2024. Bailey, known for his roles in the hit series Bridgerton and the film Wicked, is the first openly gay man to receive this title in the magazine's 40-year history. The 37-year-old British actor gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Prince Fiyero in Wicked, which debuted in 2024. The second part of the film is set to be released in theaters on November 21. In addition to his role in Wicked, Bailey charmed audiences as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's Bridgerton. He also received a 2024 Emmy nomination for his performance in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers. Most recently, he starred in Jurassic World Rebirth, which premiered in July. Bailey expressed his gratitude for the recognition, calling it a "huge" honor. "Obviously, I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd," he told the magazine. He noted the significance of being named during the 40th anniversary of the Sexiest Man Alive title. During his interview with Fallon, Bailey shared that he learned about the title while performing in a production of Shakespeare’s Richard II at the beginning of 2025. "The only thing madder than doing Richard II was to be invited into this," he said. He added, "I’m sort of thrilled that People magazine have invited someone in, bestowed this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man." When asked if he anticipates any changes in how people treat him after receiving the title, Bailey humorously replied, "I f—ing hope so." He also mentioned that he had to keep the news under wraps but couldn’t resist sharing it with his dog, Benson, who will also appear in the magazine. Bailey's friends are expected to react with surprise and excitement upon learning about his new title. "They will be furious that I haven’t told them and then they’ll just squeal with delight," he said. His Wicked co-stars, including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum, celebrated his achievement on social media. Goldblum remarked, "He’s the sexiest man alive not only on this planet but in the solar system and the universe and any multiverse." Grande added, "You’re the kindest and most brilliant and beautiful inside as well." The first Sexiest Man Alive was Mel Gibson in 1985. Other notable past recipients include Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John F. Kennedy Jr., David Beckham, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Rudd, Pierce Brosnan, and Patrick Dempsey. Bailey will be featured on the cover of People’s upcoming edition, set to be released on Friday.