I spent zero time wondering who this year’s Sexiest Man Alive would be from People Magazine. Last year, we got Idris Elba, so I was expecting some vanilla, neutered choice this year. And we got… John Legend. Sort of vanilla, but I don’t hate it. I don’t find Legend sexy in the least, but he’s a nice guy and he seems like a sweetheart, and a lot of women find that sexy. So here he is, People Magazine’s 2019 Sexiest Man Alive.
Introducing … the EGOTSMA. John Legend — a man so talented he became one of only 15 stars to achieve EGOT status last year — is making history yet again: the 40-year-old singer has now been crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive.
After taking home his first Grammy in 2006 with his debut album Get Lifted, the star began a steady ascension to superstardom while using his voice for good. Unabashedly in love with his wife Chrissy Teigen and a doting father to their kids, 3½-year-old daughter Luna and 18-month-old son Miles, Legend has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars while remaining as down-to-earth as ever. So it’s no surprise that the Voice coach, whose deluxe edition of A Legendary Christmas is available now, had a mix of emotions when he first heard about his latest title.
“I was excited, but I was a little scared at the same time because it’s a lot of pressure,” the entertainer tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “Everyone’s going to be picking me apart to see if I’m sexy enough to hold this title. I’m [also] following Idris Elba, which is not fair and is not nice to me!”
And now with his gorgeous family and an endless list of accolades, the star is happier — and more confident — than ever.
“I’m so proud that I have a wife and two kids I’m so in love with and so connected to. I’m also so proud of my career,” he says. “I love writing songs and performing on stage. I get a lot of joy from it and give a lot of joy to other people. I’m pretty at ease with myself now!”
Yeah, the most important factor for SMAs in the current era is that they have to agree to an interview and they pretty much only agree to it if they have to promote something. John Legend’s Christmas album is out now, including that version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with the reworked lyrics. Anyway, congrats to John and may his year-long reign be sexy and benevolent.
Cover and IG courtesy of People.
People’s sexiest man alive really is a marketing thing. He’s on tour& has a Christmas single. It’s all subjective but I don’t know anybody even fans who find John Legend sexy.
Exactly, John Legend and sex don’t go together for me, but He’s a good guy and plays the Hollywood game well. The rules have changed, for men at least, but I Would’ve loved to see Someone actually sexy like Charlie Hunnam or repeat Idris any damn day😆.
I don’t find him sexy. He’s nice looking, but not sexy. And that cover pic isn’t anything to change my mind.
Newp.
Chrissy Teigen was so funny and cute on twitter yesterday about this. Anyway, I love Legend! So I approve.
I went immediately to her Twitter to see her reactions and I was not disappointed. Cracked me up.
Me too! If anything, I’m happy because she is going to enjoy this so much and she is ridiculously funny!
He’s a decent and talented guy. Not dangerous, so probably not so sexy, but for 2019, a steady and easy going man is a good thing!
IKR? His wife is hilarious. That’s good enough for me to approve this choice.
I especially love how she worded her new Twitter bio.
Most Beautiful and Sexiest Man are both silly marketing ventures, but he seems like a nice enough guy. Certainly better than Blake Shelton or some of the other clowns who have been crowned. But it’s Chrissie’s tweets in response that make it worthwhile.
Better than Blake Shelton was my thought, too. People really likes The Voice coaches….
You’re right, wasn’t Adam inexplicably named it a few years ago too? Of the three, I’d only say John is worthy. Of course it’s all nonsense anyway.
I like John a lot, I think he’s good looking, seems really nice and kind, and is incredibly talented, but I don’t find him sexy either.
I agree. I don’t find him sexy at all but they pretty much hit the low with Blake Shelton so anything after that is an improvement. Anyway, they should drop the sexiest and just put “the most willing to spill for a cover as a year comes to an end”.
what’s wrong with blake?
This might be the worst choice yet. Legend is a lot of nice things, but sexy has never been one of them.
I don’t know why People still does this or why people still accept. No one who actually fits the bill is ever going to agree to the photoshoot and interview because it’s utterly cringeworthy, and that means everyone who accepts just gets a lot of ‘him, really?’ comments and an embarrassing spread that’ll haunt them the next time they want to be taken seriously. It’s lose lose.
I agree. People should stop with the Sexiest Man and Most Beautiful Woman. It’s just silly.
Not the worst, but yeah he’s not the best either. But every year they need someone who is established enough for minivan group to know, and who is willing to be interviewed (a more rare thing for tabloids) and do promotion. Usually it’s someone with a project ongoing, as it’s Oscar race time the serious actors don’t want anything this “silly” in their campaigns. Most musicians aren’t dropping albums in December (unless Christmas albums like John).
Blake Shelton will always be the worst choice.
why?
I don’t find him sexy, but he seems like a really nice guy with lots of talent, so sure, add one more title. Its nice to see people succeed in the entertainment industry who seem to be genuinely good people with actual talent .
Better than Adam Levine.
he’s intelligent, he’s talented, he’s stylish, he loves his family, he’s cute and he’s an activist. at the end of the day – that’s sexy. sexier than some doofus like chris pratt.
a month ago i wouldn’t get it….but i listened to an interview with him recently and his speaking voice is extremely sexy and he is very well spoken and passionate…i was like “oh ok john legend”
I agree. Sexy is what is between the ears! My husband will not stop watching The Voice so I am often stuck watching it. This year I have really grown to love, appreciate and find John Legend really sexy. He is sexy when he is talking about music passionately (& knowledgeably) and grooving to someone who is performing really well. I GET IT now! He is smooth like Jiffy and I could listen to his voice all day long talking or singing. Also, his activism is very sexy!
Yes girl! John Legend can get it! He’s intelligent, immensely talented, well-spoken, and a seemingly unproblematic good husband & father. All attributes that’re sexier than hell to me.
Absolutely. I think he’s smart, kind, and sexy. Not smoldering. But sexy nonetheless.
Im not comfortable with magazines that list the sexiest or most beautiful people in the world.
Agreed. Is everything just a beauty pageant, popularity contest?
No thank you.
That’s exactly what it is. They don’t actually search the world for the most beautiful/sexy etc. It’s based on who is popular at the time or has had a lot of good pr during the past year in Hollywood.
Back in the day, they used to have the 50 Most Beautiful issue, and would list all their weights. I still can’t believe anyone thought that was a good idea.
He’s very talented and seems nice but he is not sexy at all. He really does look like Arthur the Aardvark.
omg dying…
Not sexy, but he is lovable, progressive and sweet.
No he’s meh
I’m…immune. But his wife’s comments are worth it
I think that they got this so wrong, but they usually do. According to me anyway!
I legitimately…LAUGHED at this pick….for I assumed HUMOR…was the point.
How much ya wanna bet they offered it to Keanu and got turned down?
Keanu has probably turned them down NUMEROUS times, lol!
He might be a very nice man, but sexy? Nah, I’d never call him that. Anyway, these “most beautiful” or “sexiest” magazine lists are stupid and totally unnecessary in 2019.
Well, Idris still rules for me! But John seems to be a good guy, so score one for the nice guys in the world. But yeah, it’s probably time out for this “Sexy/Beautiful” jazz. In the days before the internet and social media it was a fun way to find out more about the stars but now everybody and their mama is on twitter and IG so it’s like we know everything about everything anyway.
Perfect call. Nice, normal, sensitive IS sexy in these freakish times we live in.
Definitely not sexy, and this pic of him trying to be sexy just looks silly. He’s cute.
Great call. Excellent call.
And I bet it annoys Trump. Win win.
Yuck!
I must be the only one who finds him sexy
Nice guys are the sexiest! There’s nothing attractive to me about a bad boy.
Nope, I’m with you! I find him very sexy, but everyone’s definition of ‘sexy’ is subjective to their own tastes. Either way, he really seems to be a genuinely good person so that’s enough for me.
Arthur the Aardvark! 🤣🤣
Idris Elba is a hard act to follow, but if John Legend is funny and self-confident in person, I’d probably start finding him sexy pretty quickly.
I don’t know if you follow Twitter but he put a pretty good one up about following Idris with the honor.
Why did they photoshop him so much? They “hardened” his features to make him appear more hmmm “manly” or something ???? So stupid. Anyways, I’ve heard he’s a nice guy and that goes a long way ! It’s also nice not to see the usual blonde/white dude on the cover. Two men of color, two years in a row. That’s something to celebrate.
Meh.
Can’t top Idris.
He is adorable. But sexy? Eh. Maybe. I can see it.
This issue will get my money if for no other reason than to get more color on the cover. Here is too hoping next year, a Asian SMA !!!
Last year when I went to buy the one Idris on the cover, I had to wait for them to replenish.
See, we are interested.
Geriatric Edition: Franco Nero
Over 50 Edition: Demian Bichir
Sexy PERIOD: IDRIS
He’s sexless to me. Yawn.
Um. No sir. I don’t like it. Let’s go with political terms and keep Idris. Mamoa perhaps.
Yes, Idris, but let this guy breathe!
Sexiest man alive?? He looks like an 8 year old boy. The people at People have lost the plot
LOL John gives me cousin vibes or maybe a kindly uncle. There is nothing sexy about him but I do find him positive and immensely talented.
These are PR negotiated, bought and paid for. If you ever wondered why Blake got it, there you are. I also wonder why The Voice is paying part of the bill, since we’ve had Adam, Blake and now John.
I like John Legend and his family and have no objection to this choice. In my house talent and confidence are considered very very sexy qualities. He is attractive plus for those reasons, so congrats John. And Congrats Chrissy. Get that ham sandwich! Ha-ha
For whom? Chrissy Teigen?
Sorry, no.
Nope.
Keanu Forever!
Carry on folks. 🙂
I hear that next year’s SMA is going to be Arthur the aardvark from PBS kids.
He’s attractive I guess, but definitely not my choice for Sexiest Man. Keanu or Paul Rudd would be better choices. Their careers are hot right now.
Wow, who’s next, Jaden Smith?
The title is a joke. It should be the sexiest person in show business because it’s always an entertainer.
Finally a choice I agree with. He actually delves into so many traits that make a man sexy.
He is a cutie but no, he is NOT sexy.
Love him and his family but what??? In a world with Jason Momoa and Lenny Kravitz? But again they chose Bradley Cooper once so clearly middle class America has um different taste.
Henry Golding for gods sake. Come on, if you want sweet AND sexy he is your guy.