### Craig Melvin Embraces New Look Amid PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Campaign
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Craig Melvin, co-anchor of the Today show, is currently in the spotlight as he embraces a refreshing change to his appearance. As part of his personal “hair journey,” which he began in August, Melvin has grown his hair to its longest length in 30 years. This transformation coincides with his nomination in PEOPLE magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive Reader’s Choice poll, where he is vying for the title in the category of “Which one of these morning hosts is hotter than your first cup of coffee?”
The 47-year-old television personality revealed his new look on air during a segment of the Today show. Colleagues, including Savannah Guthrie and Dylan Dreyer, took the opportunity to compliment Melvin on his hair while playfully teasing him about his nomination in the popular poll. The light-hearted banter about his striking new appearance provided an engaging moment for viewers tuning in.
On one particularly memorable segment aired on October 5, the show took a musical turn when Melvin began singing snippets from Vanilla Ice’s hit “Ice Ice Baby,” describing the track as one of his favourites. Al Roker, the show’s weatherman, joined in on the fun by drawing a humorous comparison between Melvin’s hairstyle and that of the iconic hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play, known for their distinctive looks in the 1980s and 90s. “You got the old Kid ‘n Play going,” Roker joked, prompting laughter from his fellow co-hosts.
Amidst the cheeky exchanges, Melvin acknowledged Roker’s playful comment by stating, “That’s a different cut,” and expressed some envy over Roker’s ability to sport a different hairstyle. Roker, who is bald, could not resist interjecting with his own jokes regarding hair, highlighting the camaraderie among the show’s anchors.
The atmosphere remained upbeat as Melvin stepped out onto the Today Show Plaza, where Guthrie brought attention to a large sign featuring a photo of him. Playfully, she asked, “Sooo sexy, is the voting still open for Sexiest Man?” referring to the ongoing poll, which is set to close on October 12. Dreyer further noted how a throwback photo showcased Melvin’s former look, adding to the playful discourse surrounding his new hairstyle.
Dylan Dreyer, also in on the compliments, voiced her approval of Melvin’s longer locks, assuring him, “Yes! I really do.” The enthusiastic response from his colleagues seemed to resonate well with Melvin, who expressed gratitude for their support and encouragement.
Melvin originally embarked on his hair growth journey following encouragement from his longtime barber, DJ Fresh. In an earlier Instagram post, he shared with fans that he was curious to see how his look would evolve. As the audience rallied behind him, it became clear that many were in favour of Melvin’s decision to grow out his hair.
Voting for the PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Reader’s Choice poll remains ongoing until October 12, with the results for all categories set to be announced on October 20. As Melvin continues to embrace his style transformation, there is growing interest in how this will influence his standing in the poll, as fans and viewers alike rally behind him.
In a world where appearance often meets scrutiny, Melvin’s light-hearted approach to his hair journey and his response to the support from his peers might inspire others to embrace change in a fun and positive manner. Whether Melvin ultimately secures the title in the upcoming poll or not, his evolving style and the cheerful interactions with his co-hosts have certainly made him a notable figure in this year’s edition of PEOPLE’s annual celebration of charm and good looks.