The last three years have been intense—and exhilarating—for Jonathan Bailey. Transitioning from his breakout performance on Bridgerton to roles in Wi
The last three years have been intense—and exhilarating—for Jonathan Bailey. Transitioning from his breakout performance on Bridgerton to roles in Wicked, Heartstopper, Fellow Travelers and Jurassic World Rebirth, he has taken on one project after another with impressive consistency.
His packed schedule has taken a toll, Bailey confided in an interview with GQ. “I’ve been working non-stop for about three years, which is incredible and mind-boggling,” he told the outlet. “But with everything that’s going on in the world at the moment, I’m going to stop acting for a bit next year and concentrate solely on Shameless Fund.”
Beyond the cinema, the actor is committed to philanthropy. In June 2024, he founded Shameless Fund, an organization designed to support non-profit LGBTQ+ associations through artistic collaborations. Cara Delevingne, Kylie Minogue, Scarlett Johansson, and Cynthia Erivo have already taken part in some of the campaigns.
“Over the next few months, I’ll be focusing on staffing and making sure we have all the right people in all the right places,” Bailey continued, before adding a striking statistic: “Of every £100 raised in the UK, only one penny goes to the LGBTQ+ community. We really have to dig deep to find solutions, and I sincerely believe that Shameless Fund is exactly the place to do that.”
For the actor who played Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, giving a deeper meaning to his profession has become indispensable. Offering his lend a hand to others and valuing those who take action on a daily basis have become vital to Bailey. “These are real heroes who work for associations and initiatives capable of reaching very specific audiences,” he said. “How do you raise funds without just asking for donations, but by inviting people to discover art and beautiful, inspiring, naughty and exciting collaborations?”
For now, Bailey is stepping away from the stage to get closer to the causes close to his heart. This hiatus may, coincidentally enough, reinforce his role in the cultural landscape: that of an artist who chooses to operate his voice where it resonates most.
Originally published in Vanity Fair France.
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