Jonathan Bailey is certainly enjoying his time in Oz now that the Wicked: For Good global press tour has come to an end.
The British star, who was recently named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, has been spotted out and about in various locations in Sydney, where he has chosen to unwind after a mammoth promotional trail.
The latest sighting of the Bridgerton star in the Harbour City was on Wednesday at The Beresford bar and beer garden in Surry Hills.
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Looking relaxed and in good spirits, the 37-year-old emerged from the popular pub with friends, embracing as they said their goodbyes after a night out.
Bailey’s decision to see out a successful working year in Sydney is not that surprising given his sister, her husband and their daughters live here.
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It seems he did not tell them he was coming to town for a visit, instead opting to surprise them when he popped up at a special Wicked: For Good screening at Hoyts Broadway on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m here to surprise my sister, who’s over here and my two nieces and her husband,” Bailey announced to the crowd as he entered the cinema. “And I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to watch it with you. Enjoy the film!”
In a heartwarming moment, the actor then ran towards his sister for a bear-hug as the crowd cheered.
Later on Sunday evening, he surprised a cinema full of fans at the nearby IMAX theatre in Darling Harbour when he arrived to that Wicked: For Good screening also unannounced.
“You wouldn’t believe who I found just hanging outside the cinema,” radio host Kent “Smallzy” Small announced to the audience on the microphone at the time. “Could it be one of the stars of Wicked: For Good?”
As the audience became restless with excitement, Smallzy said: “Ladies and gentleman, for a very special Sunday evening appearance here in Oz, please put your hands together for Fiyero, Jonathan Bailey.”
The crowd went wild as the British star appeared, which came just one year after he visited Sydney to promote the first film alongside co-stars stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
In a later Instagram video filmed just moments before he crashed the stage, Bailey said he was excited to be back in the “real land of Oz”.
“I’ve just landed in Oz. I’ve missed it so much so I wanted to return to the real land of Oz, which is where we started the press tour for the first film last year,” he said in a clip filmed backstage at the IMAX.
“And I thought, why not end the press tour for Wicked: For Good back where it started?”
Bailey also surprised the audience at the TikTok Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night when he appeared on stage at the ICC Sydney Theatre to present the TikTok For Good Award.
“Standing here tonight, I’m reminded that you don’t need magic to make a real difference,” he told thousands in audience after being introduced by host Sophie Monk.
“TikTok is known for creativity, humour, and entertainment but it’s also become a space where people take action, raise their voices, and lift up their communities. One video, one message, one spark of humanity can ripple outward and change lives.
Bailey’s Sydney holiday comes weeks after he took over the Sexiest Man Alive crown from last year’s winner, actor John Krasinski.
So how exactly does the British actor feel about his new title?
“It’s a huge honour. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd,” he told said in an accompanying interview with People.
“It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out.”
Because of a nondisclosure agreement, Bailey said he didn’t tell anyone about his win except his dog Benson. But now that it’s public knowledge, he knows he’ll cop some grief from his friends.
“They’ll be furious that I haven’t told them. And then they’ll just squeal with delight,” he said. “They’ve seen me grow up. Behind the mask of being identified as a sexy man are other truths that they know and they’ve witnessed. They know the secrets.”
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