At age 37, he is the first openly gay person to receive the honour in the long history of the title.

Why Bailey was chosen

According to People and other press coverage, the award isn’t strictly a measure of physical attractiveness. The magazine’s selection process considers a combination of attributes—star power, cultural relevance, charisma, personal values, and appeal. In past years, criteria have included activism, public image and being comfortable embracing the title.
In Bailey’s case:

• A breakout performance in Bridgerton and a leading role in Wicked provide major visibility.
• His open advocacy and establishment of the charity The Shameless Fund for LGBTQ+ organizations emphasize values beyond looks.
• He has a refined charm, humour and range that the feature highlights as part of “sexiness” today.

What this means

For general readers, the selection of Jonathan Bailey signals a shift: “sexy” now carries cultural weight, not just aesthetics. It also highlights greater inclusivity—an openly gay actor being crowned in a mainstream, high-profile list. According to The Washington Post, Bailey himself described the recognition as “a huge honour… and completely absurd,” showing he is both humbled and aware of the moment’s significance.