Paul Anthony Kelly Says His Wife Is ‘Thrilled’ About His Sexiest Man Alive Centerfold (Exclusive)

**Hollywood’s Next Heartthrob: Paul Anthony Kelly Named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive**

Canadian actor Paul Anthony Kelly has taken the entertainment world by surprise after being named one of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Men Alive, a recognition he kept secret from everyone except his wife, Syd Widziszewski-Kelly. Best known for his role as John F. Kennedy Jr. in the critically acclaimed series “Love Story,” Kelly, 38, is currently promoting the 13th season of “American Horror Story,” where he revealed this exciting tidbit.

In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Kelly shared his amusing decision to confide only in his wife regarding the honour. He admitted, “I didn’t tell anybody other than my wife when I did it.” Although he had the thrilling news, the actor found it challenging to keep it hidden. “Hard secret, yeah. But also, you know, I don’t want to gloat,” he laughed, acknowledging the delicate balance between pride and modesty.

His wife, Syd, was ecstatic upon hearing the news. “Yeah, my wife’s thrilled. It was great,” Kelly remarked, reflecting on her joy about his recognition. The two have navigated the ups and downs of his acting career together, and her support has been paramount in his journey.

For Kelly, receiving this honour was not something he had ever envisioned. “It’s such an honour to be celebrated in this as one of the Sexiest Men Alive,” he stated. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever be in this position.” His journey in the entertainment industry has seen its share of struggles, including nearly abandoning his ambitions after several unsuccessful auditions.

Previously, he recounted moments of doubt where he considered the practicality of pursuing a family and re-evaluating his career path. “I told my wife, ‘I don’t think this is going to happen. It’s been this long,’” he shared. Widziszewski-Kelly encouraged him to persist: “Well, we’re here, so keep at it.” Her belief in him ultimately proved prophetic as a series of fortunate events followed shortly after.

In a twist of fate, just two days after Widziszewski-Kelly surprised him with two positive pregnancy tests on their second wedding anniversary, Kelly received his green card and discovered he had landed the role of Kennedy. “My whole life changed then,” he recounted, emphasising how unexpected and transformational that moment was for him.

Before his acting career took off, Kelly’s first foray into the entertainment realm came when he was discovered by modelling scouts while working in Toronto. Although he hadn’t originally aimed to become a model, this opportunity set him on a new and thrilling path that would eventually lead him to his future wife.

Their love story began during a modelling shoot in Alaska, where Widziszewski-Kelly was part of the production team. “We met each other on this job, and it was just like, ‘Oh, s—. Hi. How are you?’” Kelly fondly recalled. After the shoot, he reached out to Sydney through Instagram, despite it being uncharacteristic for him to make such advances. “It’s not my style at all, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about her,” he admitted, sharing how they began talking daily for three months.

The couple tied the knot in May of 2023 and welcomed their first child in early 2026, completing a remarkable chapter in their lives. Kelly’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by friends and co-stars. Sarah Pidgeon, who portrays Carolyn Bessette in “Love Story,” commented on Kelly’s secretive nature regarding his “Sexiest Man Alive” title, “No, he kept it a secret. We asked him about that [on a recent call], and he just logged on and was like, ‘Hey, Sexiest Man.’ He didn’t tell a soul.”

As he navigates these exciting changes, Kelly’s journey is a testament to resilience, the importance of support from loved ones, and the whimsical twists of fate that can transform dreams into reality. With a thriving career ahead and a growing family by his side, the “American Horror Story” star looks forward to what the future holds.