Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey: “Probably people would have always said I was quite cheeky”

What do you do with them?

…. but I would regret it, so I didn’t say it.

But then you did. What can you do with them that makes you so sure they are handy?

Nothing about this is going well…I just remember entertaining my sisters by being able to pick things up with my toes, but like a monkey. But we probably don’t need to put that in writing.

Physiotherapists I’m sure salute you.

I did ballet for ages and I only found out as an adult that I have very flat feet. When I made Fiyero, I learned that. And the physical therapist came in one day because my knees were wobbly, and across the room he said, “You have flat feet.”

Your big secret: flat feet.

Yes, that’s my party trick too.

Revealed. Do you consider yourself a rule follower or a rule breaker? Are you afraid of getting into trouble?

I’m not a rule breaker, I just don’t really comply. Do you know what I mean? If someone says don’t do it, I won’t do it not do it. People would probably always have said that I was probably quite cheeky.

You have a philanthropy, the Skamløse Foundation. Can you tell me about what inspired you to start it?

I’ve always found it impossible to talk about this without sounding like an asshole, but it’s something I think about: opportunities for other people. And I can also see where there is an abundance of energy, whether monetary or creative, that could be siphoned off into other areas.

Especially with the Skamløse Foundation, there were certain commercial opportunities that came my way that I just wasn’t interested in because they just didn’t feel right or I didn’t want to step into (them). I hope that next year we will start giving grants in 2025.

Who will the grants go to?

Well, we have three, we’re sure, not-for-profits and charities that work internationally and locally in the UK for areas of the LGBT+ community to educate and uplift. Hopefully we’ll get to a point where we can offer smaller nonprofits a platform.

The three weeks after Bridgerton came out, there were so many requests from charities that I found it so upsetting and disturbing because I wanted to do them all. “Can you come to this thing, or can you talk, or can you send a shoe, or can you send a bag? Can you sign a script?” So this is also a way where you can work with several groups, become a bit of a patron.

Is there anyone who you feel has reached back and helped you further in your career?

Theater directors massively. Ian McKellen was freaking awesome and i did King Lear with him. He was one of the first to come to see me when I did Dick on the West End and we had a drink afterwards. He was so aware of how it could play out, and should it play out that way, what to be excited about and what to be aware of. I couldn’t ask for a better role model.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. For details on fashion and beauty, go to VF.com/credits.