Jul 7
Watch: Jonathan Bailey Admits His 'Bridgerton' Gig Didn't Make Him a Better Lover
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Jonathan Bailey might be at home in period costumes and courtly drawing rooms, but the actor drew a line between make-believe and his onscreen persona, admitting he's no better at romance now than before his "Bridgerton" gig.
The Wrap related that the "Wicked" star was on the British YouTube show "Chicken Shop Date," chatting with host Amelia Dimoldenberg, when he made the startling admission.
Though Bailey was there to talk about his stint as a scientist in the new "Jurassic World" movie, the discussion veered into some snappy sass, including his role on "Bridgerton," in which Bailey has portrayed a member of the titular noble family for three seasons (with a fourth season reportedly upcoming).
Bailey was dressed for the occasion far differently than on the Netflix drama, wearing a pale blue cap and purplish-blue button-up short-sleeve shirt. The chat touched on fashion here and there – "With the bum or without the bum?" Dimoldenberg asked about Bailey's plan to wear chaps to a Beyoncé concert, not unlike fellow out actor Jonathan Groff, who recently spoke about getting his first pair of chaps to wear to see Beyoncé in performance. (Translation: "Without the bum" means "assless chaps.")
"We'll see," Bailey teased in answer to her query.
Prior to that, though, Dimoldenberg recalled that Bailey had been named one of People Magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" in 2024. The news startled Bailey, who seemingly hadn't heard of it; "Why?" he asked, looking puzzled.
Dimoldenberg asked what the "Fellow Travelers" star finds sexy.
"Confidence," Bailey said, growing serious. "Calm. Twinkle."
"Twinkle?" Dimoldenberg asked. "In the eye?"
"Anywhere," Bailey answered, his voice dropping to a soft, sexy register.
They also chatted about the "Jurassic Park" franchise (not having seen any of the films, Dimoldenberg asked whether the dinosaurs talked and "became friends with everyone"), as well as Bailey's experiences during the production of "Wicked."
But things really got heated when Bailey suggested they swap shoes and Dimoldenberg asked if he really did have "dextrous toes." The question of whether Bailey has gotten "better at romance" came up directly afterwards.
"No," Bailey laughed. "It's a fantasy, isn't it? Romance is grounded and real."
"I can imagine you in 'Bridgerton,'" Bailey said, before speculating that Dimoldenberg might play someone "uptight" and "a sort of potential spinster."
Not even that jape could knock the increasingly steamy chat off the rails, though.
Watch the frisky back and forth below.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
