The Root‘s Black Choices for the Sexiest Man Alive 2023

PEOPLE should’ve chosen one of these fine Black men to grace this year’s cover

Photo: Getty Images Peacock / Contributor

On Tuesday evening PEOPLE unveiled their 2023 pick for the anticipated Sexiest Man Alive, and it is Patrick Dempsey. Yes, he is an attractive white man, but we have so many Black men in mind for this title. There have only been five Black men to grace the cover in previous years: Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Idris Elba, Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson, and Denzel Washington. The Root team compiled a list of fine brothas we think should be on the cover for the first time or even once again!

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Real Photos of Slaves Released After 15-Year Legal Battle with Harvard

Keith Powers

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai / Stringer Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai / Stringer

Actor Keith Powers knows how to make all of his costars fall in love with him! If you watched Netflix’s The Perfect Find this year then you enjoyed every second of his attempts to woo Gabrielle Union.

Taye Diggs

Photo: Getty Images Bravo / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Bravo / Contributor

Taye Diggs has the charisma that makes fans melt. Now that the strike has ended it’s about time we get him in another rom-com!

Trevor Noah

Photo: Getty Images ANDREA RENAULT / Contributor Photo: Getty Images ANDREA RENAULT / Contributor

What’s sexier than a man that can make you laugh? Trevor Noah’s brains and wit make him a perfect choice to grace the cover of next year’s edition! Let’s make it happen, PEOPLE!

Usher

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman / Staff Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman / Staff

Usher Raymond IV has always been a star but this year he reached a new level of fame. With a wildly successful residency in Vegas that caused all types of frenzy, to being announced as the next performer for the Super Bowl Halftime show, Usher is killing it, making him one of the sexiest men alive in 2023.

Dwyane Wade

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai / Stringer Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai / Stringer

What’s sexier than a man who stands up for his family? Dwyane Wade has been spending much of the past year protecting his wife and children from all types of criticism on social media.

Jalen Hurts

Photo: Getty Images Simon Bruty / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Simon Bruty / Contributor

Is there much that we need to say about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts? Just look at him!

Morris Chestnut

Photo: Getty Images Peacock / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Peacock / Contributor

Morris Chestnut has made hearts flutter for decades with his smile and charisma on and off camera! Put him on the cover!

Skepta

Photo: Getty Images Joe Maher/BFC / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Joe Maher/BFC / Contributor

Skepta is a British rapper, MC, artist, DJ, producer, director and more! He’s got the looks and the brains, y’all!

LeBron James

Photo: Getty Images MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / Contributor Photo: Getty Images MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / Contributor

LeBron James is considered to many the greatest basketball player of all time! Not only is he extremely talented, but he’s also a dedicated family man! Now that’s sexy!

Boris Kodjoe

Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores / Contributor

Who wouldn’t want to see actor Boris Kodjoe on the cover of Sexiest Men Alive?

Lenny Kravitz

Photo: Getty Images Presley Ann / Stringer Photo: Getty Images Presley Ann / Stringer

Lenny Kravitz has the edge that captures everybody’s attention. Between his artistry and charming personality, he’s easily one of the sexiest men alive.

Aldis Hodge

Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores / Contributor

If you’re a fan of superhero, sci-fi, and action movies and shows then you’ve probably seen Aldis Hodge! Not only is he easy on the eyes, he’s also a fantastic actor!

Jay Ellis

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff / Stringer Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff / Stringer

Yes, his character sometimes irritated us on Issa Rae’s show Insecure, but you can never say that his man’s looks and aura are not hot!

Common

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola / Staff Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola / Staff

Common has been blessed with having magnetic energy, talents, and looks! He’s one hundred percent meant to be on the cover this year!

Method Man

Photo: Getty Images NBC / Contributor Photo: Getty Images NBC / Contributor

Method Man just gets better looking with age! Don’t you agree?

Damson Idris

Photo: Getty Images Gareth Cattermole / Staff Photo: Getty Images Gareth Cattermole / Staff

Damson Idris had a fantastic year in his career and social life, from starring in hit shows like Swarm and Snowfall to dating Lori Harvey!

Omari Hardwick

Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor

Actor Omari Hardwick had everybody glued to their screens while watching Power and The Mother! He’s also a poet, activist, and podcast host. Okay, rang!

John Boyega

Photo: Getty Images Jacopo Raule / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Jacopo Raule / Contributor

John Boyega is a heartthrob! His bold personality, activism for the Black community, and outstanding acting make him an excellent choice for Sexiest Man Alive!

Idris Elba

Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett / Contributor

Idris Elba has graced the cover of Sexiest Man Alive before, but why not again?

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett / Stringer Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett / Stringer

Actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen is easy on the eyes and also a great actor! This year he was nominated for a Tony Award for his debut role in Topdog/Underdog.

Michael B. Jordan

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

Yes, Michael B. Jordan has already been on the famed cover, but we can’t help but want to see him on their again!

Colin Kaepernick

Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor

What’s sexier than a man who puts others before himself? Colin Kaepernick was strong in his beliefs for Black Lives Matter and continues to fight social injustice today!

Michael Ealy

Photo: Getty Images Jerritt Clark / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Jerritt Clark / Contributor

People feel strongly about this blue-eyed man! Michael Ealy’s charm could certainly put him in the running for that magazine cover!

Kylian Mbappé

Photo: Getty Images Christian Liewig – Corbis / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Christian Liewig – Corbis / Contributor

French soccer player Kylian Mbappé is rich, talented, and super cute! What more could we ask for? Let’s see him in the magazine!

Charles Michael Davis

Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor

Look at that face! Must we say more? Put actor Charles Michael Davis on the cover!

Shemar Moore

Photo: Getty Images CBS Photo Archive / Contributor Photo: Getty Images CBS Photo Archive / Contributor

Y’all love a man in a uniform, huh? Shemar Moore is constantly playing a role where he’s saving the day and that’s why people are om love with him!

Winston Duke

Photo: Getty Images NBC / Contributor Photo: Getty Images NBC / Contributor

Winston Duke just oozes sexiness! Not only is he good-looking, but he’s also passionate about improving the world around him. This year he became a United Nations ambassador for responsible tourism.

Trevante Rhodes

Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Variety / Contributor

Can we just take a moment to look at this man? Everybody would sprint to the store to buy a copy of actor Trevante Rhodes on the cover of People Magazine!

Will Smith

Photo: Getty Images Jim Spellman / Contributor Photo: Getty Images Jim Spellman / Contributor

Now this one may be controversial, but depending on who you ask Will Smith should be on the cover! Some people believe that the way he’s protected Jada Pinkett Smith through the dragging she gets on social media and even by her peers is sexy!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Screenshot: Instagram

The Life and Times of Soul Singer Al Green

In honor of his 80th birthday, we’re looking at the life of the legendary soul singer, Al Green …
Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Here’s all of the changes Trump’s made to and around the White House, including his controversial ballroom construction and latest triumphal arch …
Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Louisiana Republicans are on a mission to get rid of an elected office held by an exonerated Black man …
The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

Ashley Guillard is officially appealing the $10 million verdict against her after a jury ruled her TikTok claims about the Idaho student murders were defamatory …
Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Black Excellence: Victor Glover’s deep love for his “Cocoa skin” family will make you proud …
Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

During a VladTV sit-down, rapper Papoose addressed long-standing engagement chatter regarding his relationship with boxer Claressa Shields …
Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

This Black Maternal Health Week, we’re looking at the impact of reproductive injustice on incarcerated Black mothers who face increased health risks …
Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Months after Druski’s viral parody of Christian megachuches broke the internet, Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is finally breaking his silence …
Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s family is demanding answers after she died on her birthday trip to Tanzania …
Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Ahead of a special election in Virginia, Black residents received shocking messages via phone and mail invoking Jim Crow’s dark past …
Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Barber is hosting the 2026 Public Theology & Public Policy Conference to organize Churches for the midterms this fall …
Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s 'Ashes' Weren’t Human At All

Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s ‘Ashes’ Weren’t Human At All

Michelle Bivens thought she was keeping her son close after she cremated him, until an expert determined the ashes weren’t human …
Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

While the explicit nature of the “monkey” and “cannibal” slurs is jarring, it sits within a long, documented tradition of presidential prejudice that has shaped the nation’s policies …
Zendaya's Character in 'The Drama' Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

Zendaya’s Character in ‘The Drama’ Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

There’s a lot of rightful online chatter about Zendaya’s character in her latest movie. But there’s an even bigger person we need to talk about! …
Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, but often go without proper diagnosis or care. During Black Maternal Health Week, we highlight the urgent gaps in maternal mental health support …
The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

Even after a death sentence forced former Congolese President Joseph Kabila back into exile, his story is not over yet …
Why Parents of the 'Black-ish' Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

Why Parents of the ‘Black-ish’ Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

As more parents rethink what college readiness looks like, historically Black colleges and universities are emerging as a preferred path in today’s shifting educational landscape …
Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Greg Mathis told his fans and followers that he was going to do whatever it took to get his wife back. Now, it looks like his efforts have finally paid off! …
NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

As President Trump’s approval rating continues to drop, there is a growing call for his removal from office from both sides of the aisle …
Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

The Las Vegas Aces guard made history as the league’s first seven-figure player …