‘Sexiest Man Alive’ Jonathan Bailey’s Relationship History: From Rumored Boyfriend to Private Love Life

Jonathan Bailey, People’s newly crowned “Sexiest Man Alive,” has had a huge few years. The British actor stole hearts as Anthony Bridgerton on Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” starred as Fiyero in 2024’s “Wicked,” and will return this November in the sequel, “Wicked: For Good.”

Off-screen, Bailey has opened up about love, being “proudly gay,” and what it means to live authentically while guarding his private life.

Jonathan Bailey’s Relationship History and Private Life

Bailey is famously private about who he’s dating, but he’s shared glimpses over the years. In 2019, The Mirror reported that he was spotted kissing advertising executive James Ellis before the Olivier Awards, where he later won Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The two were seen together again in 2021 but never confirmed a relationship.

In 2023, Bailey told The Evening Standard he was in a relationship but wouldn’t share details. “There’s a lovely man,” he said. “It’s not secret, but it’s private. Having a private life is, for me, completely critical. I don’t know if I would be able to be as confident to speak out on other things if I felt that my whole life was up for grabs.”

Bailey has also been candid about what it took to be open about his sexuality.

“Of course I thought that in order to be happy I needed to be straight,” he told GQ in 2022. “I reached a point where I thought, (expletive) 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.”

The ‘Bridgerton’ Star on Pride, Gay Love, and Future Plans

At the 2019 Olivier Awards, Bailey used his acceptance speech to talk about representation. “At a time where acknowledging the very existence of LGBTQ people in our schools is being questioned, we have been able to show a lovely and celebratory snapshot of gay love,” he said. “That LGBTQ people really aren’t that different.”

Now 36, Bailey continues to balance fame and privacy. In a 2025 British Vogue interview, he admitted he’s been thinking about fatherhood. “Yes, it’s such a privilege for a man,” he said. “But I can’t bring children into my lifestyle now. I want to make sure I’m going to be present. I’m reading books on adoption. I might coparent with a woman, but I’m thinking it will be with a man.”

Jonathan Bailey Has Been Spotted Packing on the PDA…With ScarJO!

Scarlett Johansson and Bailey are cozy costars. The British actor, 37, and the Marvel star, 40, appeared together at the New York premiere of their movie “Jurassic World Rebirth” on June 23, alongside castmates Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend.

Johansson and Bailey turned heads when they shared a quick peck on the lips before posing for photographers. When asked about the moment, Bailey told Entertainment Tonight, “I believe in being able to show love in all different ways. And if you can’t kiss your friends… life’s too short not to.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bailey reflected on his role in the film and what it means to headline such a major project as an out gay actor. “There’s moments where, yes, you have to be excellent to prove that you can do it,” he said. “And it’s not like I haven’t felt that. There’s the weight of history. And there’s endless brilliant people who have come before you who have changed the way that people see sexuality.”

He continued, “Any sort of sense of prejudice against sexuality is something to fight against, and what better way to do that than to go and play any kind of character. Being an out gay actor, historically, meant that you wouldn’t be able to play straight and there weren’t any gay parts to play anyway. That’s obviously changed massively.”

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