People Teases Its Next Sexiest Man Alive, and the Guessing Game Is Officially On
Few pop culture traditions spark as much debate as People’s Sexiest Man Alive. The magazine has been handing out the coveted title since 1985, when Mel Gibson became the first star to land the honor, and each year’s reveal is met with plenty of celebration, surprise, and spirited disagreement online.
Recent years have brought a mix of Hollywood heavyweights. Jonathan Bailey claimed the title last year, becoming the first openly gay man to earn the honor, following John Krasinski, Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd and Michael B. Jordan in previous years.
Now the magazine is preparing to crown its next titleholder. As many outlets shared, People has released a teaser for this year’s Sexiest Man Alive, setting off a wave of speculation across social media.
The 10-second clip keeps the mystery intact. It shows only a glimpse of a man in a dark denim jacket, his face out of frame, as the words “the sexiest man alive is…” appear across the screen before cutting off.
People promoted the teaser by promising that this year’s pick is so attractive he’ll make hearts skip a beat. The magazine confirmed the winner will be revealed soon on the People app and invited fans to share their guesses.
People Magazine teases the 2026 Sexiest Man Alive https://t.co/jYe4RQ30Y4
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 27, 2026
Betting markets have already weighed in on the race. According to OLBG, ‘The Pitt’ star Noah Wyle has emerged as the 1/3 favorite to land the title, overtaking former frontrunner Bad Bunny.
Fans have floated plenty of other names as well. Tom Holland has been a popular choice on social media, with some users calling him the obvious pick after a busy year. Others joked that People should simply hand the title to Bailey again, while some fans championed less expected names. The variety of guesses shows just how wide open the race feels.
.@people’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025 is… Jonathan Bailey! 😍 #FallonTonight https://t.co/sOsNa4oUch
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 4, 2025
Ahead of the main event, People has already revealed the results of its Readers’ Choice Poll. Travis Kelce was named Sexiest Cat Dad, a choice that drew some playful teasing from fans online.
The expanded list also recognized stars across entertainment and sports. Travis and Jason Kelce were named Sexiest Podcast Hosts, while England soccer star Jude Bellingham was crowned Sexiest World Cup Star.
Bailey’s win made headlines when it was revealed on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ last November. The ‘Wicked’ and ‘Bridgerton’ star said he learned about the honor while performing in a production of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ overseas.
His selection was celebrated by many fans, adding another memorable chapter to the franchise’s long history. Whoever follows him will step into a spotlight that has become one of the most talked-about annual moments in celebrity culture.
People has not announced an exact date for the reveal, saying only that it is coming soon. Earlier reports indicated the cover star would be unveiled around the end of October. Until then, fans will have to keep studying that denim-clad mystery man for clues. If past years are any indication, the announcement will spark just as much debate as the teaser itself.
Who do you think will be named People’s Sexiest Man Alive this year?
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