It’s Glen Powell or Bust

Well, it’s that time again. In the coming days, after an exhausting year of competition and debate, we will finally know the next bearer of the most coveted, powerful position in the world.

People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive!

People have voted the Sexiest Man Alive almost every year since 1985, and the winner never fails to get people talking. Yes, sometimes the outcome is predictable, but when it isn’t, it really, really isn’t. Patrick Dempsey took the title last year, eight years after he left “Grey’s Anatomy” and nearly two decades since the peak of his McDreamy fame.

Since you can never be sure which way people will go, let’s break down some of this year’s favorites, dark horses and longshots as we anxiously await the announcement on November 12th (Odds Please FanDuel Canada from 6 November at 8:30 a.m. ET)

Odds for People’s Sexiest Man Alive

People’s Sexiest Man Alive

Glen Powell (+170)

The clear front runner, Glen has had one hell of a year. He starred in the rom-com series “Anyone But You” (with Sydney Sweeney) and “Hit Man” (for Netflix, which he also produced). He made a summer blockbuster, “Twisters” (a disaster movie with the exact story beats of a rom-com, though Spielberg made them break the kiss and became my nemesis forever). He even starred in and produced an audiobook, “The Best Man’s Ghostwriter.”

He’s so damn memorable. He’s gone viral for his resemblance to a capybara and the incredible chemistry he shares with his co-stars on tour (he looks at everyone like he’s in love with them). His charm and humor are undeniable. His parents are adorable. He is endearingly obsessed with UT Austin football. And he’s a devoted dog dad — Brisket even joins him on the red carpet!

Honestly, Glen looks like he was made in a lab to be the perfect sexiest man alive, and it doesn’t hurt that dominating our screens and social media all year already earned him the title of “Sexiest Summer Action Star” in the People’s readers’ choice poll. This title is his to lose.

Pedro Pascal (+340)

This is a man living his best life. Pedro has two hit TV shows (Disney’s “The Mandalorian” and HBO’s “The Last of Us”), an upcoming blockbuster (“Gladiator II”), and is about to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as Reed Richards in ” The Fantastic”) Four: First Step”).

Plus, every corner of the internet is so thirsty for him that Sarah Paulson went on SNL just to let him know that he is “Daddy”.

Pedro is not just sexy, he is charismatic, talented, hardworking and his appeal is pretty much universal. I spend way too much time on the internet and I’ve never come across anyone who has expressed their distaste for him. That alone makes him one to watch.

Travis Kelce (+340)

Mr. Taylor Swift makes the short list. He’s a two-time Superbowl winner, a hit podcaster (he and brother Jason were voted the sexiest podcast hosts by People’s readers) and one half of America’s golden couple. Of course, he was already known to football fans, but in the last year Travis has been a real household name.

Clearly, this guy knows a thing or two about winning titles, and as a proud Swiftie, I know better than anyone that everything Taylor touches turns to gold. Don’t count Kelce out and expect to see him in the issue even if he’s not on the cover.

Other favorites: Jeremy Allen-White (+340), Jacod Elordi (+500)

People’s Sexiest Man Alive

Adam Brody (+430)

Millenial women have known for over twenty years that Adam Brody is a dreamboat. First he was the adorable Dave on “Gilmore Girls”, then he took his charm to new heights as Seth Cohen on “The OC” Seth was funny, neurotic, geeky, into indie music, totally devoted to his girlfriend Summer and we loved him for that. And then to top it off, he married Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf in real life!

Adam has worked steadily since “The OC,” but never again reached the level of stardom and recognition he had in the early aughts. This year’s “Nobody Wants This” changed all that. In Netflix’s new show, Adam plays a rabbi who falls for Kristen Bell’s irreligious, dirty podcast host. In just ten episodes (which I got through in a single day), Adam showed everyone that he’s still got it. He was born to be a rom com leading man.

It might be time for one of Teen People’s “Sexiest Guys Ever” from 2004 to claim the adult title two decades later.

Andrew Garfield (+750)

Everyone wants to know Andrew Garfield’s business. Specifically, everyone wants to know if he’s dating Chicken Shop Dates Amelia Dimoldenberg. After two viral red carpet interviews, these two finally sat down for a “date” on her YouTube show and went on to break the internet. It was like watching a rom-com or romance novel in real life, and as smitten as Andrew seemed, they had social media in shambles.

Earlier this year, he and co-star Florence Pugh were immortalized in a meme when a promo photograph for their film “We Live In Time” was released featuring the world’s most memorable carousel horse. The meme generated plenty of laughs at the press tour, but the film’s themes of grief also allowed Andrew to be extremely vulnerable over the loss of his mother (he himself talked to Elmo about it).

Basically, he seems like the most genuine guy in Hollywood, and that’s extremely sexy.

Manny Jacinto (+750)

When Disney’s “The Acolyte” dropped in June, everyone seemed to have the same question: when did the dummy from “The Good Place” get so hot??

Like his Good Place costar, D’Arcy Carden pointed outthe answer is: he was always warm. It just took him becoming a lightsaber-wielding action hero for everyone to catch on. The world is no longer in the dark, and despite the show’s cancellation, the thirst for Manny has been constant.

He was the frontrunner for “Sexiest New Heartthrob” in the People’s readers’ choice poll. Despite losing to Jacob Elordi, People called him out in the results. Clearly, they have a soft spot.

Other competitors: Barry Keoghan (+750) and Bad Bunny (+900)

People’s sexiest man alive by a long shot

Ryan Gosling (+1100)

Honestly, it’s crazy he hasn’t been Sexiest Man Alive yet, considering the former Musketeer has been a bonafide heartthrob since “The Notebook” way back in 2004. Last year would have made more sense for a Ryan- victory, but never underestimate the stamina of “Barbie”.

Also, the final winner was announced before his epic live performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Academy Awards.

Paul Mescal (+1400)

His turn on Hulu’s “Normal People” shot him to stardom amid the 2020 lockdown. The thirst for Mescal’s character was so strong that the chain he wore on the show has its own. Instagram account with over 130,000 followers. He’s in the best shape of his life thanks to training for “Gladiator II,” his first true blockbuster. He is dating Gracie Abrams. And he has a cute accent.

But since “Gladiator II” doesn’t hit theaters until after Sexiest Man Alive has been announced, Paul might be a better choice for 2025.

My choice

Sure, it’s the predictable choice, but 2024 was the Glenaissance year; it must be Glen Powell (+170).