WICKED: FOR GOOD Star Jonathan Bailey for British ESQUIRE Magazine

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A new era of British ESQUIRE begins with the launch of our inaugural BETTER MEN issue, featuring the first of three special-edition cover stars Jonathan Bailey.

The sparkly star of WICKED: FOR GOOD speaks to new editor-in-chief Teo van den Broeke about the male role models who shaped him, the motivating force of shame and the importance of always seeking “activation”.

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“Activation is a word I learnt too late in life. There are times when you can feel overwhelmed or despondent, and you feel grief about the state of the world. But activation is when you’re taken out of a cycle of thought. It can happen in conversations with friends, or it can happen with a stranger. It’s a call to arms of sorts.”

“I can’t speak about the process of choosing work other than it feels like expanding memory foam. When I read a script and I respond to a character, it’s a watertight experience for me because it feels like I’m drunk. It’s the same feeling as being giddy or listening to an amazing song, or being really moved, or finding something hilarious. But when I look at my work, you’ll see probably more of the stuff I keep private.”

“I’ve spent so many years thinking that I’m about to do my last job. And I’ve also been like, ‘I want to hold my boyfriend’s hand.’ That’s a non-negotiable thing. It’s never been an option not to do that. I think that’s the benefit of being in theatre, because it’s a more inclusive place.

The opportunities available to me now are off the back of years and years of amazing actors playing all roles. There have been so many gay men that people have loved playing straight parts, whether you’ve known they’re gay or not.”

[Photo Credit: Matt Healy for Esquire UK Magazine]

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