Every year People’s choice for its sexiest man alive sets off a stream of debate, but for 2017 the magazine may have outdone itself. By picking country star and The Voice coach Blake Shelton in lieu of the typical beefcake, the editors went in an unexpected direction, but was it the right one? Within the pages of the issue are welcome additions like Armie Hammer, Kumail Nanjiani, and Kofi Siriboe, who strike the right balance between relevance and sex appeal, but Shelton’s cover is already proving polarizing. Admit it, unless you are Gwen Stefani or one of his many adoring fans, Shelton’s charms may not be that readily apparent. Even with his great voice and sense of humor, one might find herself yearning for the days when stars like Brad Pitt and George Clooney held the title.
Of course there is far more to sex appeal than physical traits and the ability to break box-office records. Intelligence, charm, and social awareness all play a part in who we find attractive, and this year there were plenty of interesting guys on the scene to choose from. You don’t have to be a Hemsworth brother or a famously stylish soccer icon to make the cut—at least on our list. Here, a look at 12 guys who we wouldn’t mind taking the title this year.
Chris Pine
If the sexiest man alive has to be a blue-eyed bro, he ought to be the best one in the business. From playing Wonder Woman’s damsel in distress to shedding tears at the Oscars, Pine has proved himself the superior Chris.
Ezra Miller
While other actors may play it cool, Miller is delightfully offbeat. Whether he’s showing up on the red carpet wearing the brightest Fenty Beauty lipstick he can find or arriving at Comic-Con in Fullmetal Alchemist cosplay, Miller does things his way.
Bill Skarsgård
Who would have guessed that beneath all of Pennywise’s creepy clown makeup was the youngest member of Sweden’s acting dynasty? With the elegant looks of a male model and a sense of humor about the whole child-eating–clown thing, Skarsgård is adorable.
Cole Sprouse
A Renaissance man for Generation Z, Riverdale’s Sprouse is an actor, photographer, and the kind of easy-on-the-eyes crush you won’t mind sharing with your little sister.
David Harbour
Sheriff Jim Hopper may be a little off his game in Stranger Things’s second season, but Harbour’s presence is always welcome. At 6 foot 3, burly, and more than willing to voice his opinions, he is seriously underrated heartthrob material.
Frank Ocean
Ocean’s music is unquestionably seductive, and with each new release he reveals another side of himself—to which we say: More, please!
Minho
After stealing the spotlight from Melania Trump during the First Family’s visit to South Korea, the whole world was eager to find out more about Shinee superstar, Minho. A K-pop veteran with a voice like silk, his mere presence leads to headlines and fainting fans: What more do you need to know?
John Boyega
Look, if you don’t love Boyega, you need to reevaluate your life—and your priorities.
Taika Waititi
Admit it, you went to see Thor: Ragnarok in part because of its hilarious and handsome director, Waititi. Multitalented—check out vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows for a taste of his comedic side—and capable of pulling off a floral short set (no small feat!), Waititi is definitely crush-worthy.
Emmanuel Macron
Politicians are rarely given pinup status, but like Justin Trudeau and Barack Obama before him, Macron’s appeal goes far beyond his policies. The French president’s dashing good looks, personal style, and sound leadership make him a rarity among world leaders.
Kumail Nanjiani
The Big Sick, Nanjiani and his wife and writing partner Emily Gordon’s true story of how they fell in love, essentially rebooted the romantic comedy genre. While he’s off the market, Nanjiani’s sense of humor and comedic talent even made the powers that be at the official list take note.
Pharrell Williams
As Vogue’s latest cover star and one of the most stylish men in show business, Williams, at 44, has maintained his cool longer than most pop acts have been in existence—and he’s never been more relevant.