Jonathan Bailey Embraces the Title of Sexiest Man Alive
LOS ANGELES – “Yes, I’m the sexiest man alive. What about it?” Jonathan Bailey quipped during a recent playful Zoom press conference. The actor, known for his role as Prince Fiyero in Wicked: For Good, responded to a question about his new title with humor and wit.
Bailey, who is the first openly gay man to receive the title, shared his thoughts on being named the Sexiest Man Alive. “Am I misunderstood as the Sexiest Man Alive? Of course, he is, but everyone is all the same, and he misunderstands himself.” He added that the opportunity to portray Fiyero was one of the most inspiring experiences of his career.
Fiyero, a swashbuckling prince with a winking charm, is a character that allows Bailey to explore a masculinity that is kind and flawed. “He’s very much evidence of someone who has to really find himself at such a taut and great place of pain, misery, and also aggravation,” Bailey explained. “And he sacrifices everything for someone who’s completely vilified and marginalized.”
The actor also discussed how the film portrays Fiyero’s complex relationship with Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. “I wanted it to feel like he’s a burning sparkler that’s slowly dimming, but the heat is still there,” Bailey said. “I think there’s a very kind and hopefully powerful alignment and energy towards him all the way through.”
A Powerful Performance in “As Long as You’re Mine”
During the New York premiere of Wicked: For Good, the audience was captivated by Fiyero and Elphaba’s duet, “As Long as You’re Mine.” Bailey described the experience of performing the song with Erivo as electric. “Cynthia didn’t just hold me up throughout that performance, but the whole audience as well. It was amazing.”
The two actors had only a few hours of rehearsal before filming the scene. “The biggest challenge there is when exploring in close-up and in the extraordinary world that’s now been built, how do you really make sense of what’s happening between the two of them?” Bailey asked. “They have to discover each other in a way that they’ve not ever been given the permission to.”
He emphasized the chemistry between the two characters. “It’s the perfect chemistry or equation for a real sensual communication between two people who are kind of animal-like with each other. And I’m really proud of it.”
Bailey also mentioned the physicality of the scene. “With Cynthia, we were locked in, and it’s a great privilege just to sit and kneel in front of her while she sings in your face. I think hair and makeup had to keep pushing my hair back because of the force.”
A Musical Masterpiece
Stephen Schwartz, the renowned composer behind Wicked’s iconic songs, was thrilled watching and listening to Bailey and Erivo perform “As Long as You’re Mine.” “It’s one of the sexiest things ever filmed and how Jon Chu did that,” Schwartz said. “First of all, part of it is due to ‘Jonny’ Bailey and Cynthia Erivo.”
Schwartz noted the impact of the scene. “They’re fully clothed for the whole thing. I think Jonny drops a suspender or something, and people are whooping at the screen because it’s so sexy. That certainly changed my perspective about that song.”
Conclusion
Jonathan Bailey’s portrayal of Prince Fiyero in Wicked: For Good is a testament to his talent and ability to bring depth to complex characters. His performance, combined with the chemistry between him and Cynthia Erivo, has made the film a standout in the musical genre. With its powerful storytelling and unforgettable moments, Wicked: For Good is set to captivate audiences around the world.
