The 'Sexiest Man Alive' title from People magazine may sound like a Hollywood dream, but getting the industry's younger heartthrobs to accept the crown is reportedly becoming a serious headache. According to a former People editor who spoke to Naughty But Nice, landing a cover with a star under 50 is increasingly difficult.
Apparently, being officially declared gorgeous isn't enough to excite some celebrities. "You would think every young actor would jump at the chance to be named Sexiest Man Alive, but that's not how Hollywood works anymore.
Some of these stars simply don't care about People magazine," the former editor noted. Accepting the title is only half the battle; the chosen celebrity is expected to participate in a photo shoot, give an interview, and help promote the feature - commitments that younger stars may not consider worth their time.
"Today's younger stars have their own platforms, their own audiences, and very little incentive to play by the old Hollywood rules," the source added. Reports suggest that Zendaya and Tom Holland have shown little interest in the magazine, while Ryan Gosling reportedly turned down the honour.
Matt Damon also initially declined in 2007 before eventually accepting. "Celebrities only want to do it when they have a project to sell," another insider explained.
"It's a business, not a beauty competition." This year, People handed the title to 55-year-old Noah Wyle, whose hit drama The Pitt has brought him renewed attention. While the crown still generates headlines, Hollywood's younger generation is clearly not lining up to collect it.
The shift in attitude reflects a broader change in how fame is managed in the digital age. With millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, stars no longer rely on traditional print media to maintain their relevance or public image.
Industry analysts suggest that the magazine's prestige has waned as the power dynamic has shifted from legacy media to individual celebrity brands. For many, the time investment required for a magazine feature is seen as a distraction from their own curated content strategies.
Furthermore, the pressure to maintain a specific public persona for a magazine cover can be restrictive. Younger stars often prefer the autonomy of their own social media channels where they control the narrative entirely.
As People magazine continues to navigate this changing landscape, the challenge of securing A-list talent under 50 will likely persist. The era where a magazine cover was the ultimate validation of stardom appears to be fading into the past.