Recommendations of the Editorial team
People magazine features British actor Jonathan Bailey named “Sexiest Man of the Year.” The news was announced on The Tonight Show by host Jimmy Fallon, who highlighted Bailey’s work in Wicked: For Good and Jurassic World Rebirth.
“It’s the honor of my life,” Bailey told Fallon. “And I want to thank you, Jimmy, for declining to let me be here.”
Fallon asked if it was difficult to keep the news a secret, but Bailey said it was “surprisingly easy.”
Jonathan Bailey on the title and his reaction
“Because not as many people ask, ‘Are you…?'” he said. “We just started the ‘Wicked’ press tour, and I was out with friends beforehand, just spending some time together. We had a few drinks and I said, ‘Guys, guys – I’m the sexiest man in the world.’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, keep doing your affirmations.'”
“The Internet Friend” talks about future roles
Fallon pointed out that Bailey is known as “Internet’s Boyfriend.” Fans constantly cast him in dream roles – from the next James Bond to the next Batman. “Only if you’re by my side,” Bailey replied. “Do you want to be my Moneypenny?”
The actor also spoke about Wicked: For Good, which hits theaters later this month. “These are extraordinary people using all of their skills,” Bailey said of the film. “It will be one of my greatest honors to support Jon M. Chu. He is an incredibly visionary director. … It will be emotional for everyone, but I think it will be something beautiful.”
Personal insights and film start
In the People cover story, Bailey revealed that his first celebrity crush was Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid and that the film Wicked: For Good recently brought him to tears. “But beyond my own work, I’m very touched by family,” he said. “My niece was student of the week and I was just so proud. She’s the oldest of the next Bailey generation – that really moved me. When my sisters send photos of their children I always get emotional.”
“Wicked: For Good” opens in theaters on November 21st. The film stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Jonathan Bailey plays Prince Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum plays the wizard. The rest of the cast includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James.