Michael B. Jordan’s Cheeky Reply to Losing Out on 2021 ‘Sexiest Man’ Award

Jordan is set to star in Denzel Washington’s A Journal For Jordan before going on to make his directorial debut with Creed III (2022). Outside of that, he’s slated to appear in Danny Boyle’s Methuselah, Coogler’s Wrong Answer, and produce a Val-Zod/Superman series for HBO Max, which he may also star in.

It would seem that Jordan is on top of that world, that is until 52-year-old Paul Rudd pulled the rug out from under him and was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2021, beating out Chris Evans, who was rumored to be the title’s front runner.

Michael B. Jordan reacts to fellow MCU actor Paul Rudd dethroning him as People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive last month.

During a recent appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan (via People) Jordan was asked by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest about passing the “Sexiest” mantle to Rudd. Jordan jokingly ribbed People for abruptly tossing him aside before surrendering to that which is, of course, Paul Rudd.

“I mean, they just throw you out. Like, two weeks ago I was all the rave and now I’m just ‘former Sexiest Man Alive,'” joked Jordan. “Actually, I just woke up to the news. They didn’t give you a heads up, no. It was a little rude, a little disrespectful. But I let it slide because it’s Paul Rudd, so.…”‘

Jordan went on to explain how his friends and family reacted to him being named Sexiest Man Alive last year, calling it a gift and a curse, because it puts a target on your back—from the memes to the GIFS. Rudd echoed a similar sentiment when he dethroned Jordan last month, saying he expects his friends to give him a really hard time.