Jonathan Bailey: Wicked and Bridgerton actor opens up on the struggles of fame – and potential parenting plans
Actor Jonathan Bailey has said he “really struggled” with fame after starring in the hit Netflix show Bridgerton.
The 36-year-old, who plays Antony Bridgerton in the Regency-era drama, said after the series first aired in 2020 he found dealing with stardom “quite hard-hitting”.
“I really struggled initially; I was overwhelmed by it,” he told British Vogue.
“But the people in your life have to adapt too. That’s the hardest thing: you see them struggling before you see it in yourself, someone pushing past your dear mum and dad to get a picture.
“I’m really good now at saying no to photos.”
From playing a viscount in Bridgerton, Bailey has recently appeared as a prince, playing Fiyero in the film adaptation of Wicked, alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Describing it as a “masterpiece”, the British actor said when he watched it he sobbed.
Away from the stage and screen, Bailey opened up about his future and how much he would like to have children.
“It’s such a privilege for a man,” the star, who is openly gay, told the magazine.
Pic: Ben Weller
Pic: Ben Weller
He said he is currently reading books on adoption but couldn’t bring children into his lifestyle now because of his busy schedule.
“I want to make sure I’m going to be present. I’m reading books on adoption. I might co-parent with a woman, but I’m thinking it will be with a man.”
Bailey with his Bridgerton co-star Simone Ashley. Pic: Cover Images via AP Images
On his sexuality, Bailey said he only came out to his close friends and family in his early 20s and had previously been in a relationship with a woman for two years.
“It’s interesting with the binary,” he said, “where you’re perceived to be either this or that. That’s how I saw it at the time, but there are so many nuances to it.
“My experience of that relationship was not that I was in the shadows. She remains one of my best friends.
“I think other people understood my sexuality before I was even aware of it.”
The full interview is in the January edition of British Vogue. Pic: Ben Weller
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Earlier this year, Oxfordshire-born Bailey set up The Shameless Fund – a charity that aims to use brand collaborations to raise money to support LGBTQ+ rights and organisations.
He said in a previous Vogue interview that he wanted to “raise money without asking people to actually donate and sponsor, [but rather] invite people to experience art and beautiful, inspiring, naughty and exciting collaborations”.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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