Jonathan Bailey on how embracing his true self led him becoming one of the sexiest men

Jonathan Bailey is opening up about how his sexuality shaped his early years.

The Wicked star and PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive spoke to Sky News about growing up gay and the challenges he faced in school.

"I felt scared and I felt alone and I felt entirely limited at various points in my life," Bailey shared.

As an ambassador for the U.K. nonprofit Just Like Us which supports LGBTQ+ youth in schools as the 37-year-old actor is acutely aware of the struggles young LGBTQ+ people face.

The organisation’s survey found that LGBTQ+ individuals aged 11 to 18 are twice as likely to experience anxiety, depression and bullying.

"I experienced all of that," the actor told Sky News, adding, "It became clear quite early on that something that was very specific and clear to me about who I was, it wasn't safe and it wasn't celebrated." He described the feeling as "like you’re in a straight jacket."

Bailey, the first openly gay man to be named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, reflected on the honour in a Forbes interview emphasising the importance for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Fellow Travelers star said, "There’s nothing sexier than progress, of course, there was no way I wasn’t going to step into that corner this year, when the opportunity arose."

He added, "It’s amazing to be able to accept it without a second thought, knowing that it’s meaningful and impactful, as well as just an incredible and hilarious honour as it’s not lost on me at all."

Following the announcement, GLAAD celebrated the milestone, with VP Anthony Allen Ramos noting the impact of seeing an openly gay actor recognised for leading man appeal.

Reflecting on his journey, Jonathan Bailey shared, "We’re all sort of trying to get back to the origin, aren’t we? But I was swimming in the sea about an hour ago with a good gang and I felt all right in my skin."