People Magazine picks a “Sexiest Man Alive” every year, with the title usually just bestowed upon whatever incredibly famous man your mom is most likely talking about at the time. Last year’s winner was A Quiet Place and The Office actor John Krasinski. Grey’s Anatomy’s Doctor McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, was awarded the title in 2023, and if you go down the full list, you’ll see a lot of the biggest names in Hollywood over the past 40 years, and also note an uncomfortable ratio of white to non-white men on the list. 2025’s winner is another white guy, but he does hold the distinction of not only being the first openly gay man to get the title, but also of being the first to star in the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Yes, my fellow gays, Jonathan Bailey is 2025’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Bailey, who has become a household name over the past few years thanks to huge franchise films like Wicked and Jurassic World: Rebirth, started in theater, made waves on TV shows like Fellow Travelers, and has also played a handful of roles in video games like Forza Horizon 2, Anthem, and most notably, Final Fantasy XIV in which he voices G’raha Tia. The Miqo’te mage has been a recurring support character in the MMO since the Realm Reborn days, and was a major player in last year’s Dawntrail expansion, so Bailey’s had this role on lock for nearly a decade at this point, and despite his surge in fame, was still returning to the world of Eorzea pretty recently. Hopefully he’ll continue to return in future expansions even though he’s now doing sexy photoshoots that put him on the cover of People Magazine. I wouldn’t be surprised if his rate for voicework went up now that he’s gotten Wicked and Jurassic World money, though.
I never met G’raha Tia in my very brief time with Final Fantasy XIV, but frankly, the cat boy is not my type. Bailey holding a gorgeous dog while shirtless on a beach in the People photoshoot? That’s more my speed. I will see you soon when Wicked: For Good comes to theaters on November 21, king.
