After an intense few years starring in projects like Wicked, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Fellow Travellers, and multiple seasons of Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey has announced he will be stepping back from acting next year.
Speaking to E! News, Bailey reflected on his busy schedule: “I’ve been working solidly for about three years now, which has been amazing and mind-blowing. But with everything happening in the world right now, I’m going to stop acting for a bit next year and just focus on the Shameless Fund.”
The U.K.-based charity, founded by Bailey, partners with global brands to raise funds for non-profit organisations supporting the LGBTQ+ community. One of its viral initiatives included the “slutty little glasses” in collaboration with eyewear brand Cubitts.
“Over the next few months, I’ll be focusing on staffing and making sure we get all the right people in all the right places,” he said. “There’s this statistic: out of every £100 raised in the U.K., only 1 [penny] goes to the LGBTQ+ community. You really have to dig to find solutions, and I genuinely think The Shameless Fund is exactly that.”
Even while working on high-profile acting projects, Bailey found ways to bring the charity into his daily life, often through colour. “When we’re working on the Shameless Fund, the colour pink is so important. It’s an expression of joy and happiness, and it’s incredibly flattering—a reason why I wore it so much during the Wicked press tour,” he shared.
Bailey’s upcoming hiatus marks a shift from Hollywood lights to philanthropy, giving him time to expand the impact of The Shameless Fund and support the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Bailey will next be seen in the second part of the Wicked film titled Wicked: For Good. It is slated to hit theatres on November 21. He is also expected to be seen in the fourth season of Bridgerton.
