The world is currently swooning over Jonathan Bailey, and not just for his captivating on-screen performances. Following his recent, history-making crowning as People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, there’s a renewed curiosity about the man behind the characters. For fans wondering about his life off-camera, the answer is clear and affirming: yes, Jonathan Bailey is openly and proudly gay in real life. His journey to this point of public confidence and success is a powerful story of self-discovery and resilience in an industry where such authenticity hasn’t always been celebrated.
Bailey’s star has been on a meteoric rise, transitioning from the record-breaking romance of Bridgerton to major blockbusters like Jurassic World: Rebirth and the much-anticipated Wicked films. Yet, even as he plays a wide array of roles, he has consistently chosen to bring his whole self to his work and public life. He isn’t just navigating Hollywood; he is actively helping to reshape it, using his platform to advocate for a more inclusive and representative entertainment industry where an actor’s sexuality is not a barrier to their artistry.
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A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery and Public Pride
Jonathan Bailey’s relationship with his sexuality has been a nuanced and evolving part of his life. He has spoken openly about the fact that others seemed to perceive his sexuality before he was fully aware of it himself, recalling a painful childhood experience where a teacher derogatorily told him, “Well, if you weren’t so busy being a fairy, you’d understand,” while he was struggling with schoolwork.
In his early twenties, he navigated the complexities of personal identity, dating a woman for two years while he was also in the process of coming out to his family and close friends. He reflects on this period without regret, noting the relationship was not shadowed by secrecy and that the woman remains one of his best friends. He has described this experience as part of the many “nuances” of sexuality, challenging a rigid binary view.
Jonathan Bailey becomes the first openly gay man to be named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive. pic.twitter.com/k32mhon3HB
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) November 4, 2025
The actor publicly came out as gay in 2018, but his decision to live openly was a conscious one made years earlier. He once revealed that early in his career, he was warned by industry figures to keep his sexuality a secret, being told that it was one of the two things—along with being an alcoholic—that “we don’t want to know.” This advice created a period of internal conflict, where he feared that being his authentic self would hinder his career. However, he reached a turning point.
In a 2022 interview with GQ, he stated, “I reached a point where I thought, ‘F–k this,’ I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to put my own face picture on Tinder and not be so concerned about that than getting a part.” This declaration marked his commitment to living a life without hiding, a principle he continues to uphold.
Building a Full Life On and Off the Screen
Today, Bailey stands as a celebrated and visible figure in the LGBTQ+ community. His historic designation as People’s first openly gay Sexiest Man Alive is more than just a personal accolade; it’s a cultural milestone that he meets with a mix of grace and humor, calling the title a “huge honor” and “completely absurd.”
His professional choices also reflect his values. He is widely praised for his raw and powerful performance in the queer historical drama Fellow Travelers, a project he said he was proud to help bring to screen. Beyond acting, he founded The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ organizations, stating, “I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment… it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of.”
.@people’s Sexiest Man Alive, Jonathan Bailey, got to cast his favorite Bridgerton horse in @wickedmovie pic.twitter.com/qzkt3YE0Nx
— Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) November 4, 2025
When it comes to his private life, Bailey is selectively open. In mid-2025, he seemingly revealed on the web series Chicken Shop Date that he is currently single and “available,” though he prefers to keep the specifics of his dating life private. He has spoken about his desire to be a parent one day, mentioning that he is reading books on adoption and is open to co-parenting, likely with a man. He values this privacy, explaining that having a life that isn’t entirely “up for grabs” is critical for him.
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Jonathan Bailey’s story is thus far more than a simple answer to a question about his identity. It is the story of an immensely talented man living his truth without apology, breaking barriers with every role he takes and using his influence to champion a world where everyone, in his words, can “wrestle to make space for others.”
