There were many viable candidates for it PEOPLE Magazine’s 2024 edition of the Sexiest man in the world. Top candidates included the man of the moment Glen Powellthe much-loved leading man Pedro Pascal, and Mr Swift himself, Travis Kelce. Some wondered if one of the boys was from Bad or Gladiator 2 would have a shot at the title, if only because of the tie-in possibilities. There was always Ryan Reynolds or Hugh Jackman, following the billion-dollar success of Deadpool and Wolverine. But in retrospect, the choice would never have been so topical. So then it was revealed that the Sexiest Man Alive for 2024 apparently Johannes Krasinski, There was a loud cry of ‘huh’ on the internet.
Certainly. Okay. Why not? He’s attractive, in the right age range, has a cozy homely image with his wife Emily Blunt, starred in one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 2000s and headlined a hit Amazon show (which ended last year). The criteria were certainly: there. But this also felt a bit passe, right? It’s a little behind the times. This would have made a lot more sense a few years earlier, maybe when Jack Ryan premiered in 2018 and A quiet place became an unexpected commercial hit. On the other hand, you would never criticize the PEOPLE SMA selection committee because they were ahead of the spirit of the times.
The cover story focuses on his status as a husband and father and as “one of Hollywood’s top filmmakers.” His family comedy IF has earned over $190 million worldwide (out of a reported $110 million budget), but to claim he’s one of the most sought-after directors working today is frankly an exaggeration. But hey, PEOPLE is not here to check the facts. This is a promotional opportunity, not an actual title.
That’s what makes Krasinski’s fake shock at receiving the title so funny. Dude, there’s no way your team hasn’t coordinated this with the magazine. There were months of conversations. All questions were 100% vetted and your publicist made sure of that PEOPLE focused on the things you wanted them to do. That’s no shame. This is a fun and effective opportunity to reach a sought-after target group. Oh, Jim van The office is he an artist now? Cool.
It’s also just perfect for the things that do that PEOPLE wants of this cover. Before the announcement, I predicted Joshua Jackson would make the cover, and my reasoning for that was similar to why I think it ultimately went to Krasinski. Jackson is a cute white guy with broad appeal, he has a lot of nostalgic influence, he’s on a big show that a lot of people are currently watching (and one that would benefit from the PEOPLE bump), and he is also a father. The SMA choice is always safe, by which I mean that it is not an expression of raw or ‘dangerous’ sexuality. You don’t see any playboys on the cover, except for George Clooney, and he was the exception because his lothario image never felt leering or exploitative (or just plain sad – looking at you, Leo). I always joke about that. PEOPLE singles out boys found in the pages of Lisa Simpson’s Nonchanging Teen Boys magazines, and this statement has never proven me wrong. It’s less about abs and more about who looks good in a nice knit sweater while talking about their kids.
The only chink in the armor, so to speak, is how this compares to the less positive press Krasinski has been receiving lately. In an episode of the podcast The cityMatt Belloni and Lucas Shaw spoke openly about the “common fact” that Krasinski was a “jerk” and that he was a so-called “nightmare” to work with Jack Ryan. They claimed that several people in the industry vowed never to work with him again, but that he was well protected because of his Hollywood connections.
He also faced some criticism north of the border for appearing in an advertisement for Rogers in Canada, despite a labor dispute. The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and a group of Canadian advertising agencies have effectively prevented union actors from appearing in spots for some of the country’s biggest brands. While many Canadian actors talked about having to sell their homes because of the power outage, Krasinski was paid top dollar to dance on a boat with Taylor Swift. “Every time I see that commercial, it gives me goosebumps,” said Keith Martin Gordey, president of the Union of British Columbia Performers. CBC.
However, none of these stories would ever break its barriers PEOPLE‘s design and agenda. They want a nice, safe white guy to pose for them and they’ll take whoever agrees to play the game. This is an advertisement, not a democratic vote. So sure, why not John Krasinski? He has what they want and he clearly craved their attention. Maybe now he can be nicer to his crew. It is said.