“He’s been a man for ages, right?” Wakford told CNN. “Every year we see what the spirit of the year is. What does Zitigist want at the moment? After a difficult year, we wanted to find someone who could provide a balance of escapism and comfort and inspiration. And we really felt like Mike did it. It doesn’t hurt that it’s too hot. “
In addition to his good looks, Wakford said Jordan’s activism behind the Black Lives Matter movement and his production company’s efforts to make Hollywood more reflective of our world helped cement him as the sexiest man alive.
“It was a universal choice. We’re talking about what the world wants right now and what the world wants right now,” Wakford said. “I think people are turning to pity after a difficult year and focusing on someone who is a force for good. And I think Mike is that. He’s done a lot of good things. He’s got his money where his mo. The mouth is associated with black. Loved Matter. His production company has led the charge to provide more career opportunities to people in the color of Hollywood. He also believes in strong women and women’s empowerment, which is amazing. And so he does a lot better. “
Wakford adds that choosing who gets the cover is a “very conscious thing”, adding that they try to consider what’s going on in the world and how readers feel. “And then I think about Hollywood and the world around us through that filter.”
Speaking of the iconic “sexiest” issue, the magazine’s staff held a photoshoot (with the appropriate Covid-19 protocol) outside Jordan’s home in Los Angeles, which found creative ways to photograph other men making the list.
“Now we’ve put together 40 plus issues from home, but we’ve been doing this with a different quarantine for weeks,” Wakford said. “So, it’s no longer a challenge to roll out a magazine remotely. That’s what we do. At the moment, what you find challenging with Hollywood is ensuring that celebrities are available to photograph because there are so many down-to-earth productions. They are not allowed to shoot, produce, bubble and come forward. “
Wakford is proud of the issue, now available on stands and online, and said he was “already thinking” about who could run for next year.
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