People Magazine has just chosen Jonathan Bailey as the Sexiest Man Alive for the year 2025. The decision to avoid the most boring and outdated pick imaginable is surprising enough, but this particular choice brings great news for several distinct groups of people.
Bailey rose to stardom after playing Fiyero in the *Wicked* movie adaptation and solidified his fame with a major role in the latest *Jurassic World: Rebirth*. These roles are likely the main reasons behind his award. However, the truly important aspect is his role as G’raha Tia, the Crystal Exarch—a mage from *Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn*. This character became so popular that he featured prominently in the expansions *Shadowbringers* and *Dawntrail*.
In addition, Jonathan Bailey has done voice work for games such as *Anthem* and *Forza Horizon 2* before exploding onto the live-action scene. Although those roles probably didn’t factor much into People’s choice, they demonstrate his longstanding connection to the gaming world.
Remember when gaming, anime, and especially the unique blend of their aesthetics were broadly dismissed as “unsexy”? Well, that’s over now. Or perhaps People magazine’s editors weren’t fully aware that Bailey also portrayed one of the most thirsted-after characters in *Final Fantasy* history—who also happens to be a cat boy. Either way, that door can no longer be closed.
On a more serious note, Bailey’s win is significant for two main reasons. First, he is the first openly gay man to receive this prize. Second, as one insightful Twitter user pointed out, he is one of the few men to win the award while still undeniably sexy. People Magazine has faced criticism for years—not because older men can’t be sexy, but because the award often goes to men whose appeal no longer resonates with younger generations.
Sure, this contest is ultimately silly. Sexiness, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. One could easily argue that many past winners—such as Blake Shelton, the actor who played Jim in *The Office* and later became a CIA spokesperson, or even late-stage Johnny Depp—weren’t exactly the most captivating picks. Still, for once, it’s worth turning a blind eye to all that.
Let’s celebrate Jonathan Bailey’s victory in this Battle Royale of sexy men on this historic day—for gamers, the LGBTQ+ community, and all lovers of cat-related things everywhere.
https://www.destructoid.com/final-fantasy-cat-boy-is-peoples-sexiest-man-alive-2025/