Jonathan Bailey just bagged People magazine’s coveted Sexiest Man Alive 2025 title (via People), and the internet’s been buzzing ever since. But while the Wicked star officially wears the crown, Stranger Things fans seem to have started a little side quest of their own.
Social media’s blowing up with posts claiming that Joe Keery (aka everyone’s favorite 80s heartthrob Steve Harrington) was also named Sexiest Man Alive, a rumor that’s spread faster than the Upside Down itself.
So, did the fan-favorite actor secretly snag the title, or is this just another internet-made myth? Let’s break down where the story started and what’s really going on.
Was Stranger Things‘ Star Joe Keery Named Sexiest Man Alive 2025?
It’s official, People magazine has named Jonathan Bailey as the Sexiest Man Alive 2025, and honestly, no one’s complaining. The Bridgerton and Wicked star has been on everyone’s radar lately, and this win just sealed his heartthrob status.
Also, to spice things up, a few fun reader-voted categories, including one that immediately caught everyone’s attention: the “Sexiest Green Flag Fictional Character.” The title celebrates characters who aren’t just attractive but genuinely good guys, the emotionally mature, respectful, “would-text-you-back” kind of men the internet can’t get enough of.
Steve Harrington voted PEOPLE’s Sexiest Green Flag Fictional Character of 2025 in readers’ choice. pic.twitter.com/AmJmYhLW6U
Naturally, fans of Stranger Things jumped on the trend and decided that Joe Keery, who plays everyone’s favorite reformed bad boy Steve Harrington, perfectly fits the bill. Soon enough, rumors began circulating online that Keery had actually won the “Sexiest Green Flag” title, blurring the line between official recognition and fan-made fantasy.
In reality, the actor wasn’t named in People’s poll, but that didn’t stop social media from crowning him their own champion. After all, when it comes to green flags, Joe Keery’s been waving his since Hawkins High.
Bridgerton Star Named Sexiest Man Alive 2025: Who All Did Jonathan Bailey Beat?
Who Is the Sexiest Green Flag Fictional Character 2025?
The People magazine Readers’ Choice poll for 2025 officially crowned Conrad Fisher from The Summer I Turned Pretty as the Sexiest Green Flag Fictional Character (via People), and fans couldn’t agree more. Portrayed by rising star Christopher Briney, Conrad is the brooding yet gentle heartthrob who has quietly become the internet’s favorite good guy.
For those new to the series, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly Conklin, a teen who spends every summer at Cousins Beach with her mom’s best friend’s family, including Conrad and his brother, Jeremiah. What starts as a coming-of-age story quickly evolves into a tangled love triangle, with Conrad emerging as the emotionally complex yet steady “green flag” guy that audiences can’t help but root for.
Conrad’s win proves that viewers are moving past the bad-boy trope; they want men who listen, who care, and who can talk about their feelings without turning it into a drama. Christopher Briney nails that balance perfectly, bringing a layered tenderness to Conrad that feels both real and refreshing.
So while the Sexiest Man Alive crown went to Jonathan Bailey, Conrad Fisher’s “green flag” win shows that the world’s officially crushing on kindness.
Do you think the Stranger Things star should win next year? Let us know in the comments below!
