People used to think the "Sexiest Man Alive" title was just about a jawline. Or maybe a specific type of Hollywood abs. But honestly, looking at Jonathan Bailey, the 2025 title-holder, things feel different now. The Bridgerton star didn't just inherit a sash from John Krasinski; he shifted the entire vibe of what this weird, iconic American tradition represents.
It’s 2026. We’ve moved past the era where a handsome guy just sits on a stool and smiles for a glossy cover. Now, being a former Sexiest Man Alive—or the current one—is a weirdly high-stakes job. It’s a platform. It’s a target. And for Bailey, it’s a history-making moment as the first openly gay man to hold the title in its 40-year run.
You’ve probably seen him as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, or maybe as Fiyero in the Wicked films. He’s charming, sure. But the reason he’s sticking in the cultural craw right now is because of how he’s using the spotlight. He’s not just "the hot guy." He’s a theater geek who started at the Royal Shakespeare Company when he was seven. He's the guy who founded The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ grassroots groups.
The Weight of the Crown
Every former Sexiest Man Alive has a story about the moment they got the call. Patrick Dempsey (the 2023 winner) famously said his family just laughed at him. They thought it was a prank. It’s funny, but it also points to the absurdity of the whole thing.
Winning this title is a "point of bullying" for friends, according to Chris Evans. He was right. Your group chat never lets you live it down. Yet, there’s a real business side to this. It’s a massive career booster. For someone like John Krasinski, the 2024 winner, it bridged the gap between his "nice guy" The Office persona and his "action hero" Jack Ryan era. It tells the world: this guy is a leading man now.
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A History of the Heavy Hitters
The list of men who have walked this path is a strange mix of legends and "of-the-moment" surprises.
- Mel Gibson (1985): The one who started it all.
- John F. Kennedy Jr. (1988): Still the only non-entertainer to win purely on vibes and politics.
- David Beckham (2015): The athlete who proved style is just as important as the sport.
- Michael B. Jordan (2020): Used his year to push for diversity in Hollywood production.
What Happens After the Cover?
Life as a former Sexiest Man Alive doesn't mean you just fade away. In fact, for many, the real work starts when the next guy is announced. Look at Patrick Dempsey right now. In early 2026, he’s launching a gritty new series called Memory of a Killer. He plays a hitman with Alzheimer’s. It’s a massive departure from "McDreamy."
He’s also leaned heavily into the Dempsey Center, his cancer support organization. He realized that when you have the "sexiest" tag, people actually listen to what you say about healthcare. It’s a weird leverage, but it works.
Then there's John Krasinski. He’s currently prepping to bring Jack Ryan to the big screen for a 2026 theatrical release. He didn't let the title make him "soft." If anything, the 2024 win served as a final stamp of approval on his transition from a sitcom prankster to a global action brand.
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The "Sexiest" Controversy
Is the title outdated? Kinda. Every year, the internet melts down over who didn't win. In 2024, people were screaming for Benny Blanco or Pedro Pascal. When Jonathan Bailey won in 2025, there were some corners of the internet that still struggled with an openly gay man being the "standard" of sex appeal.
But that’s why it matters. The definition of "sexy" in 2026 is much broader than it was in 1985. It’s about talent. It’s about being "unapologetically yourself," as Bailey often says in interviews. It’s about the work you do when the cameras aren't even on.
Why the 2025 Win Was Different
Bailey didn't just play the part; he acknowledged the "absurdity" of it immediately on The Tonight Show. He didn't try to act like he was the hottest man on earth. He talked about his dog, Benson. He talked about queer representation. He made it human.
That’s the secret sauce for any former Sexiest Man Alive who wants to stay relevant. You have to be in on the joke. If you take it too seriously, you look like a narcissist. If you reject it too much, you look ungrateful. It’s a tightrope walk.
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What We Get Wrong About the Title
People think the editors at People just pick their favorite actor. It’s actually more like a political campaign. Publicists lobby for months. They time movie releases—like Wicked or Jurassic World Rebirth—to align with the November announcement. It’s a calculated move to ensure the "winner" is at the peak of their "searchability" on Google.
If you want to understand who is actually "winning" Hollywood, look at the former Sexiest Man Alive list. It’s a map of who had the best management team and the most momentum in any given year.
Actionable Insights for Following the Trend:
- Watch the Fall Movie Slate: The next winner is almost always someone with a massive movie dropping between November and January.
- Follow the Philanthropy: Notice how winners like Idris Elba or John Legend pivot their title into social causes. It's the "Sexiest Man" playbook for long-term respect.
- Look for the "Relatable" King: The days of the "untouchable god" are over. In 2026, we want guys like Paul Rudd or Jonathan Bailey who feel like they’d actually be fun to grab a drink with.
The title might be a bit of a relic, but as long as we’re obsessed with celebrity culture, the transition from current to former Sexiest Man Alive will always be one of Hollywood's most fascinating handovers. It’s not just about the face; it’s about the footprint.
To stay ahead of the next cultural shift, keep an eye on the actors taking "unconventional" roles right after their win. That’s usually where the most interesting career moves happen. Whether it’s Bailey’s upcoming projects or Krasinski’s move to the big screen, the title is just the beginning of the story.