"Wicked" star Jonathan Bailey has been named People's Sexiest Man Alive, making him the first openly gay man to hold the title.

After winning a Critics' Choice Award and being nominated for an Emmy last year, the "Bridgerton" heartthrob is now being honored for his undeniable charm. Jimmy Fallon had the honor of revealing the title during the Monday, Nov 3, episode of "The Tonight Show."

"It's the honor of a lifetime," the 37-year-old said. "I want to say, Jimmy, thank you so much for turning it down so that I could be here."

The call came in while he was playing the titular role in "Richard II" at London's Bridge Theatre earlier this year, Bailey revealed. He said, "You go slightly mad. The only thing madder than doing 'Richard II' was to be invited into this."

He also joked that when he told his friends, they told him, "Yeah, do your affirmations."

"The Office" alum John Krasinski held the 2024 title of Sexiest Man Alive. Now, the "Jurassic World Rebirth" star also joins the likes of recent other sexy recipients, including "Grey's Anatomy" alum Patrick Dempsey (2023), "Captain America" actor Chris Evans (2022) and "Sinners" star Michael B. Jordan (2020).

This year is a special one, too, as Bailey becomes People's Sexiest Man Alive on the magazine's 40th anniversary of declaring the honor since 1985. At the time, Oscar-winner Mel Gibson was the inaugural recipient. Since then, the outlet has spotlighted male stars every year, except in 1993 when Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford were deemed the Sexiest Couple Alive.

Who was People's Sexiest Men Alive last year?

Krasinski was named People magazine's Sexiest Man of 2024.

"The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" made the grand reveal, in which the 46-year-old "A Quiet Place" director shared his wife Emily Blunt's reaction to the news.

"There was so much laughter on the other end of the phone; it was hard to get words," Krasinski said.

Who are the previous People's Sexiest Men Alive recipients?

  • 2023: Patrick Dempsey
  • 2022: Chris Evans
  • 2021: Paul Rudd
  • 2020: Michael B. Jordan
  • 2019: John Legend
  • 2018: Idris Elba
  • 2017: Blake Shelton
  • 2016: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
  • 2015: David Beckham
  • 2014: Chris Hemsworth
  • 2013: Adam Levine
  • 2012: Channing Tatum
  • 2011: Bradley Cooper
  • 2010: Ryan Reynolds

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Wicked' star Jonathan Bailey is People's Sexiest Man Alive 2025

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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