Patrick Dempsey has been crowned 2023’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” but many disagree with him topping the list of candidates.
Since 1985, People magazine has created a list of Hollywood’s leading men, with one declared “Sexiest Man Alive.” Mel Gibson was the first to be announced and grace the magazine cover.
Dempsey has been named People‘s winner this year, with his announcement coming late Tuesday night while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Although the full list comes out later this week, Dempsey’s reveal has been met with backlash online, with many saying that the publication was “too late” and that the star was not “relevant.”
The coveted position sees him on the cover of the next issue, with him taking the title from last year’s winner, Marvel star Chris Evans. He joins the hall of fame, which includes previous winners Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Idris Elba.
Dempsey played Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd from 2005 until 2015, with guest appearances in 2021. Despite his stud title while appearing on the show, he never managed to scoop the award. At the time, he was seen as one of Hollywood’s leading heartthrobs.This was a key talking point when People shared a preview of the cover on Instagram.
One Instagram user said: “I mean yes he is v attractive but it’s not 2005, why couldn’t yall pick someone more relevant?”
Another added: “BAD choice! He was a hot actor like 15 years ago!! It should have been Pedro Pascal or Ryan Gosling.”
“Who did they survey? Geriatrics? McDreamy is so 10 years ago. Pedro Pascal should have won,” a third joked, as another wrote: “Couldn’t be a more irrelevant pick…”
Dempsey is to appear in the upcoming movie Ferrari which lands in cinemas next month and last year starred in the sequel to Disney’s Enchanted, Disenchanted, reprising his role as Robert.
This fed into a fan theory on social news website and forum Reddit.
User @GraveDancer40 on Reddit said: “First, as a Patrick girl for life, I am thrilled if not completely shocked. He’s sexy as hell and ageing hasn’t dimmed that at all.
“But this actually makes sense to me because of the strike. Sexiest Man Alive is pure promo s***. It’s whatever PR person pushed hard. Actors are on strike so most of them can’t do anything to promote upcoming movies or shows or talk about past projects so…it could be tricky to make the cover work. Patrick’s on the upcoming Ferrari movie which is not a struck project so he can openly talk about it and promote it.”
Several users of the Reddit also commented to agree with the post.
Another eagle-eyed social media user shared a similar message on Instagram: “Congrats to his publicist. Funny that he has a movie coming out next week. Just sayin’.”
Ferrari is currently scheduled for a Christmas release.
Users of X, formerly Twitter, seemed to echo the statements, with one commenting on People‘s post: “I mean… yes back in the day. But seriously? How is it not someone who is hot right now? I haven’t even seen/heard him mentioned in years.”
“Who makes these decisions?” another questioned.
The delay to him winning the title didn’t seem to phase the star, and talking to the publication, Dempsey said: “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life. It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”
On hearing the news, he joked: “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!”
The publication has also teased other stars on the list this year, including the already mentioned Pedro Pascal, Timothée Chalamet, Jamie Foxx, Jason Kelce and Lenny Kravitz.
Pascal was a top contender for many. One user on Instagram said: “You did PEDRO PASCAL wrong! No one is buying it this year! Sorry, nothing against him, but this is not it!”
“Wtf, Pedro deserved this waaaay more than someone who’s only known for 1 show that’s been on air too long,” another jabbed.
One social media user did pose the question that maybe Pascal didn’t want the tile and said: “To everyone asking why is it not Pedro Pascal: maybe he didn’t want the title. The recipient turn the title down if they don’t want it.”
Many of Dempsey’s loyal fans jumped to his defense. An Instagram user commented: “Well deserved! He’s gorgeous! Forever McDreamy!”
A second shared: “I’m shocked that he wasn’t the sexiest man alive sooner. I have seen this man in person. This award is well deserved.”
Newsweek has contacted Patrick Dempsey and Pedro Pascal’s publicist via email for comment.
Source: News week
