Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey: ‘People would probably always have said I was pretty naughty’

What are you doing with them?

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

But then you did it. What can be done with them to ensure they are skilled?

None of it goes 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, greet you.

I did ballet for ages and didn’t find out until I was an adult that I had very flat feet. I learned this with the Fiyero. And one day the physical therapist came in because my knees were shaking and said across the room, “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 follow them. Do you know what I mean? If someone says: Don’t do that, then I won’t do it not Do it. People would have probably always said I was probably pretty naughty.

They have a charity, the Shameless Fund. Can you tell me what inspired you to start this?

I’ve always found that it’s impossible to talk about without sounding like an asshole, but it’s something I think about: opportunities for other people. And I also see that there is a lot of energy, be it money or creativity, that could be diverted into other areas.

With Shameless Fund in particular, I was presented with certain commercial opportunities that I just wasn’t interested in because they just didn’t feel right or because I didn’t want to pursue them [them]. I hope that next year, in 2025, we can start issuing grants.

Who do the grants go to?

Well, we have three that we are sure about: non-profit organizations and charities that work internationally and locally in the UK to educate and promote areas of the LGBT+ community. Hopefully we’ll get to a point where we can provide a platform for smaller nonprofits.

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

Is there anyone who you think has supported you and helped you in your career?

Theater directors massive. Ian McKellen was incredible, and so did I King Lear with him. He was one of the first people to visit me when I did it tail in the West End and we went for a drink afterwards. It was so clear to him how it could and should turn out, what he should be happy about and what he should pay attention to. I couldn’t ask for a better role model.

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