Is it getting hot here? With People magazine set to unveil its latest ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ on November 12, former winners have one thing to say to the new man: enjoy the ride!
Since 1985, the exclusive club has crowned men including George Clooney, Paul Rudd and last year’s winner Patrick Dempsey, all of whom captured our hearts not only with their looks, but also with humour, confidence and zest for life. For these winners, the title is about more than just a pretty face; it’s a chance to embrace the fun and perhaps teach yourself to laugh.
This year’s winner, whoever he may be, may find these tips useful. Here’s what Sexiest Men Alive from the past had to say about wearing the crown.
Don’t be shy, ‘grab this opportunity’
For some titleholders, the best approach is simply to feel good about themselves. Idris Elba, who received the title in 2018, emphasizes that it’s all about being natural.
“Just enjoy it,” he advised his successor, John Legend, in a 2019 interview with People, encouraging him to “don’t try to be sexy, just be yourself.” That seems to come easily for Elba, who confidently added, “I don’t have to try to be sexy – I am sexy.”
Even on the toughest days, Elba explains: “[It] It doesn’t matter if I woke up in the morning looking crazy, people would say, “Oh, the sexiest man!” I said to myself, ‘Yes!’ Whatever I do, I got the title, I feel really good about myself.”
Ryan Reynolds, who was given the title in 2010, also believes in not downplaying the honor and advises fellow 2021 honoree Rudd to embrace it all.
“Don’t screw this up, Rudd,” he joked on Today, adding that it’s about making the best of it, without excuses. ‘He’s going to play it shy. He’s going to play it shy and modest,” adding, “I wouldn’t do that. You have to seize this opportunity.”
As for Rudd, he openly admitted he was “the wrong man” to advise on the title, but he is as eager as anyone to see who will be next crowned.
“I can’t wait to see who it is,” he told People. “I’m really excited to be on the sidelines and bask in their sexiness.”
Clooney, who took home the title in 1997 and 2006, says it takes extra dedication to be the “Sexiest Man Alive.”
“There is a lot of responsibility for a whole year, you have to carry that sash. It’s very uncomfortable after a while,” he recently joked to People, noting that he’s curious to see how this year’s winner will handle it.
“Let’s see what kind of campaign he’s running. You know what I mean? I want to see how good he is as a campaigner,” he teased, adding: “I’m sure they will do a great job.”
Enjoy the ride – and wear some denim
Matthew McConaughey, who won the title in 2005, believes confidence and authenticity are what will make the title stick.
As he told People in April, “If that’s your name and you’re still alive, you’re still the sexiest man alive,” joking that even after all these years, he still has bragging rights. As for style advice, it’s simple: “Go for denim.”
Looking back on his 2005 cover, he said: ‘I noticed that denim was the starting point for every photo shoot, especially this one. Go for denim. Blue catches the eye; denim, all American. It was a good call. Denim still works for me.”
Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson, crowned in 2016, brings his signature humor to the club.
“My conversations with colleagues [Sexiest Men Alive] are always the same,” he told People. “I say, ‘Listen, just so you know, here’s the thing about Sexiest Man Alive, I’m kind of the only one who’s had it forever. So you have it for a year, but I have it for life. ”
The Moana 2 star gave a playful quip as he welcomed 2022 honoree chris evans during a segment on The late showand encouraged him to embrace the role and “say something sexy.”
Have perspective: ‘You can’t take yourself too seriously’
For others, a big part of the glory is knowing when to turn the sound off.
Blake Shelton, whose 2017 title received mixed reviews, knows from experience that the announcement isn’t always met with universal approval. His advice? Lie low for a moment.
After we broke the news about Legend’s 2019 title live The voiceShelton tipped his fellow coach. “I said, ‘Hey man, listen. After this announcement comes out, wait about two weeks before you look at social media because everyone who has ever hated you will have something to say about it,” he recalled to Entertainment Tonight.
Legend himself shared some humble advice, reportedly telling Meredith’s Blackprint in 2020, “It’s been funny, it’s been humiliating, it’s been all those things.”
He continued, “I really enjoyed making fun of myself all the time because you can’t take yourself too seriously when someone calls you the sexiest man alive.”
