When People magazine announced its "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2017, the man himself couldn't believe the news.
The specimen himself — country singer Blake Shelton — said his first thought when he was told the news was that People must be "running out of people. Like, wow, we're down to somebody who is somewhat symmetrical," Shelton quipped. The Voice coach told the magazine that he needed a pep talk from girlfriend Gwen Stefani before accepting the title.
The reveal left many wondering: "Why Blake Shelton?" Past men named "Sexiest Man Alive" include Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, David Beckham, Chris Hemsworth, and Adam Levine. But this year, People said, it sought a cover star who wouldn't take the title too seriously, calling Shelton a "favorite good ol' boy."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The magazine also addressed the recent sexual harassment allegations against many stars in Hollywood, writing, "We admit that it's a strange time to be talking about Sexiest Man Alive — it seems like every day another famous man is being exposed as a sexual predator. But ultimately this list celebrates men who do good as well as look good."
This isn't the first good news that Shelton has received this week: On Tuesday, his latest album, Texoma Shore, reached number 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
