People’s Magazine has added 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Brian Michael Smith to this year’s lineup of Sexiest Men Alive, making him the first-ever transgender man on the list.
Alongside his place on the 2021 list of Sexiest Men on TV, People wrote, “Well howdy, partner! The 9-1-1: Lone Star was one of PEOPLE’s Ones to Watch in 2021 and we will definitely not have a hard time keeping an eye on him!”
In a post made to his Instagram yesterday, Smith joyously expressed how flattered he was about his spot in the lineup.
“I’ve been called many things, this is a first. Incredibly honored to be included in this list with so many actors I admire. Big love to [People] for the historic shout-out.”
Smith first made history back in 2019 when he was the first out Black trans man to be cast in a series regular TV role.
In an interview with HollywoodLife in 2020, the actor talked about the importance of positive trans representation.
“Sometimes I’m just astonished that this is something that’s even possible now, to be playing a positive representation of a trans masculine character on a network TV show, that I know it’s going to go into the homes of millions of people who may or may not know that they actually know a trans person. […] just feeling incredibly grateful and blessed that we’re at a point in time where there are opportunities for roles like this”
Smith, who plays a transgender firefighter on Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star, wasn’t the only LGBT+ star that made this year’s list though. SNL star Bowen Yang, Pose actor Dyllón Burnside, and Smith’s 9-1-1: Lone Star co-star Ronen Rubinstein were also included on the list of Sexiest Men on TV.
Though Paul Rudd was officially named the 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, it’s good to see that the list is making the positive change of becoming more and more inclusive and representative of all men.
