Elphaba isn’t the only one “defying gravity” in the new Wicked movie — just ask the stack of books Jonathan Bailey dances on. The internet is once again swooning over Bailey thanks to his charismatic turn as Fiyero in Wicked, which premiered on November 22. The Bridgerton star steps into yet another heartthrob role, this time channeling his inner theater kid with flair.
Fiyero makes his grand entrance halfway through the film, riding horseback through the woods where he encounters Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. He’s immediately intrigued — and mildly baffled — when she shows no interest in him (his corny jokes certainly don’t help). It’s soon revealed that the charming prince is the newest student at Shiz University, and it takes all of two seconds for him to win over the entire school — especially Ariana Grande’s Glinda.
In his standout musical number, “Dancing Through Life,” Fiyero leads the students in a carefree celebration, flipping, leaping across tables, and balancing on books — all while belting his heart out with infectious energy.
Paired with his tender moments alongside Elphaba, Bailey’s performance has left audiences completely enchanted. Now, fans are eagerly awaiting more when Wicked: Part Two arrives in theaters in 2025. Until then, viewers are taking to X (formerly Twitter) to gush about Bailey’s show-stealing turn.
The Thirst For Jonathan
As viewers left Wicked in tears over the “Defying Gravity” finale, many were simultaneously thirsty for Bailey. “Thank you to the MPAA for allowing Jonathan Bailey to push the limits of that PG rating in ‘Dancing Through Life,’ I owe you my life,” one fan quipped. Some reported that their entire screening audibly swooned during Bailey’s performance.
“When i tell you the SHIFT that occurred in my theater when Jonathan Bailey showed up on screen.. audible gasps and moans every single shot he was in i’ve never seen anything like it,” one fan wrote, with another saying, “The way even my straight traditional Italian boyfriend FELL IN LOVE with Fiyero, Jonathan Bailey has so much charm it’s crazy.”
Many fans also noted how everyone in Wicked seemed as enthralled by Fiyero as they were — regardless of gender or sexuality. “Jonathan Bailey could have chemistry with a brick I swear every single character in Wicked looked like they were falling in love with him,” one fan wrote.
Jonathan’s Triple Threat Skills
Above all, Wicked viewers praised Bailey’s talents, calling him a “triple threat” for his acting, singing, and dancing. One fan even declared that his performance as Fiyero “changed the trajectory of [their] life.”
One fan wrote, “TBH I dont even remember ‘Dancing Through Life’ in the Broadway show but Jonathan Bailey completely ate that up, the whole sequence was magical.” A reporter also argued that his song “is the best ensemble number in any musical ever. Jonathan Bailey’s version is exquisite. Incredible.”
The Bridgerton Horse
In a Nov. 12 interview, Bailey revealed that the horse he rides in Wicked is the same one he works with on Bridgerton. “He’s incredibly focused and can deliver a very stable scene partner,” he said about his horse, Jack.
However, many fans didn’t realize that his Wicked entrance would also mirror Bridgerton in another way. His meetcute with Kate on the Netflix series also happens while he’s horseback riding, and just like Elphaba, his now-wife Kate is intially turned off.
“If i had a nickel for every time Jonathan Bailey played a man engaged to a woman but was secretly in love with another woman he met in the woods while riding his horse, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it happened twice,” one fan noted. Another joked, “Jonathan Bailey is a horse girl confirmed.”