Before People Magazine‘s sexiest man alive was known for his roles on the big and small screen, he played an important role in beloved MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. During last night’s episode of The Tonight Show, People officially revealed its Sexiest Man Alive for 2025: Jonathan Bailey, star of Bridgerton, Jurassic World Rebirth, last year’s film adaptation of Wicked, and the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good.
But Bailey is also a prolific theatre and voice actor, and he’s also lent his voice to an iconic FFXIV character: G’raha Tia, the Miqo’te Mage. G’raha debuted in Stormblood, and has since featured in every other expansion since, becoming one of the most beloved (and thirsted-after) characters in the game.
Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey Also Has A Part In FFXIV
And He’s Dedicated To A Fault
Bailey began voicing G’raha Tia in 2017, when he first appeared as the “Enigmatic Figure.” He’s since reprised the role in Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail.
And don’t think that FFXIV was just a paycheck for Bailey; in a 2024 interview with BAFTA, he praised the game’s writing, calling it “almost Shakespearean.” Having grown up as a gamer, Bailey takes great enjoyment in playing G’raha Tia, whom, he acknowledges, means a great deal to many FFXIV fans.
In fact, he was so devoted to voicing G’raha Tia that he ran himself ragged, spending days in the recording studio while appearing on the West End eight times a week. As a result, his tongue became inflamed; he half-jokingly apologizes for sounding “a bit lispy” during certain voice lines in Stormblood.
It’s not his first video game role, either: Bailey has also played Dan Williams in Forza Horizon 2, Rhys Shipley in Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and several roles in Bioware’s ill-fated Anthem. He’s also expected to appear in Star Citizen spinoff Squadron 42, release date TBA.
From Virtual Heartthrob To Historic Cover Star
G’raha Tia As SMA Makes Perfect Sense
Due to his attractive design, warm and fuzzy personality and, in no small part, Jonathan Bailey’s excellent voice acting, G’raha Tia has become a bit of an in-game heartthrob for Final Fantasy fans everywhere. Therefore, it only makes sense that his voice actor would go on to become
For his part, Bailey has now made history as the first openly gay Sexiest Man Alive. He takes up the mantle from last year’s winner, John Krasinski, and has used the opportunity to promote his upcoming role in Wicked: For Good.
Between that and his prominent parts in Jurassic World Rebirth and Bridgerton seasons 1 through 4, his star is quickly rising — but fans of his work shouldn’t forget his role in Final Fantasy XIV.
- Released
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August 27, 2013
- ESRB
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T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Playable
- PC Release Date
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August 27, 2013
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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March 21, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
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May 25, 2021