- - Role Model Bares (Almost) All for PEOPLE's First-Ever Sexiest Man Alive Centerfold

Rachel DeSantisNovember 6, 2025 at 12:00 AM

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It’s a crisp October morning in Los Angeles and Role Model is handing out fliers in a parking lot. The singer-songwriter's typical uniform — T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap — has been swapped for a black suit. Today, Role Model means business.

The sheets of paper he’s carefully tucking beneath the windshields of various vehicles represent a sort of victory lap (more on that in a moment). “Role Model is certified sexy,” the fliers say, a nod to his latest accomplishment: becoming PEOPLE’s first-ever Sexiest Man Alive centerfold.

“I feel amazing. It’s incredible,” he says. “I’m honored.”

Jonny Marlow

Saint Laurent shirt & suit

It’s been a long time coming for Role Model (né Tucker Pillsbury), who this time last year was on an ill-fated campaign to win Sexiest Musician in PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024 Readers’ Choice Poll. The singer, 28, gave it his all, making T-shirts, billboards, and even tapping Gracie Abrams, for whom he’d opened on tour, to help his cause. It was all in good fun. Until it wasn't. When he lost the poll (which we feel the need to reiterate was the readers’ choice) to Harry Styles, PEOPLE landed at the top of Role Model's list of enemies.

But now that he's PEOPLE’s inaugural SMA centerfold, the ice has thawed, and we’re back in the star’s good graces (we think).

“It feels like you maybe had a falling out with a friend, and it’s that first text you get back after a year of not talking to each other, and it’s like, ‘Hey man, happy birthday. I know we haven’t talked, but I’m just reaching out,” he deadpans. “It feels good.”

The honor is well-deserved. It’s been a banner year for Role Model, who released his breakthrough second album, Kansas Anymore, in 2024, then went viral with a deluxe edition this past February that featured the hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.”

The infectious song has turned into something of a phenomenon at Role Model's live shows, as he brings out a special guest to dance with him each night as he performs the song’s bridge. Notable “Sallys” have included Hilary Duff, Natalie Portman, Charli xcx, Kate Hudson, Al Roker and his own mom.

“It felt different,” he says of writing the track. “I started playing the song in Australia before it had come out, and it was cool to see people slowly learning the words to the song. That was weirdly the loudest point in the set, for a song that wasn’t out, and I was like ‘OK, maybe there’s something brewing.’”

Fresh off his musical debut on Saturday Night Live and in the midst of a new European leg of tour, Role Model opens up to PEOPLE about his whirlwind year, new music and what he finds sexy.

Let’s go back to the beginning. What happened between us?

ROLE MODEL: Nominations came out for Sexiest Man Alive, all the little micro-categories and whatnot, and to my surprise, Sexiest Musician… my face was on there, alongside Zach Bryan, Shaboozey and, of course, Harry Styles. I thought, "Wow, incredible moment." I cared more than a Grammy. I cared more than a VMA. This was important to me. "I’m dedicating the next three months to this." And I did, very publicly. And my argument was always this: Obviously, Harry Styles is in the lead, just off the bat. I love everyone in there, but Harry Styles already had a lead. How cool would it have been to let the underdog win — me? Harry Styles has everything. He’s got a brand. He’s got to be almost touching a billion dollars at this point. Sold-out shows, an amazing career, beautiful looks. He doesn’t need this. I needed it, and it was taken from me.

And so ever since then, there’s been some animosity. We’re on your enemies list.

ROLE MODEL: Mmhmm. I think at the top.

Well we’re here now and working on making amends. It’s been an amazing year for you. “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” came out in February. How have the last few months been? How has life changed?

ROLE MODEL: It’s very cool to me that we have successfully dragged this album out as long as we have. I feel like that’s a really hard thing to do, to keep people’s attention on an album for longer than two weeks. I love that and I’m proud of that. Crowds have gotten more fun and louder. Coffee runs have gotten a little bit more hectic and I have to try and look somewhat presentable when I do go get coffee.

Obviously a big part of “Sally” in concert is who you bring out on stage to be your Sally. How did that come about?

ROLE MODEL: Jake Shane, unfortunately. There’s a weird narrative online somehow that Sally was about Jake Shane so I was like, “Let’s play into this.” So he came out and people loved that. And then the next show came and we were like, “Maybe we should just do this with fans every night,” and make it a “One Less Lonely Girl” type of vibe, but more wholesome. It kind of took off from there. It’s my favorite part of the set now.

Jonny Marlow

Mothfood vintage jumpsuit. Timberland shoes.

When Sally is a celebrity and not a fan, how does that come together? Are you calling them day of or are your friends clamoring to be Sally?

ROLE MODEL: It’s different with everyone. Some of them ask and I’m like, “Didn’t think you would want to do this, but yes.” Some of them, I have to get down on my knees and beg [like] Charli [xcx]. And some of them are day of, some we plan months ahead. You never know.

Charli on Saturday Night Live was a very exciting one. She was also on your enemies list, so we had that in common. How was SNL?

ROLE MODEL: It was amazing. We did not have [a Sally] ready until the day of and I would never have guessed that she would do that. And she texted me and said, “You are now forever in debt to me and you are in my pocket.” And sometimes, that is what you have to do to get a Sally. That was a beautiful moment for me. I love her.

I know you’re from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which is quite far removed from New York City and Los Angeles. How connected do you stay to your hometown?

ROLE MODEL: I mean, for one, my house in L.A. looks like a shrine of Maine, which is very comforting for me because it feels finally like home here for me. I also just go home a lot, as much as I can. I talk to my friends who live in Maine. I talk to my parents who live in Maine, and they all humble me weekly. It’s good for me.

You have a hilarious social media presence. What do you like about being able to reach your fans directly through TikTok and Instagram?

ROLE MODEL: As we know, I like to start beefs and fights and stuff on Twitter. I like to cause drama, so that’s fun because we both sort of do it, people who follow me, and we get into fun fights and stuff. I love that. It’s like the sibling love that I used to have; I now get to continue. Usually, you grow out of it as an adult, but I’m kind of growing the opposite way.

Role Model Stripped Down

REAL NAME: Tucker Pillsbury

AGE: 28

HOMETOWN: Cape Elizabeth, Maine

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

SIGN: Taurus (Not that he cares—“[Astrology is] a hoax,” he says. “I’m sorry.”)

WHY YOU KNOW HIM: His hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” went ultraviral this summer.

HIS PERFECT DATE NIGHT: “Go get one drink,” he says. “I don’t like to do dinner—I like to eat by myself. But a drink sounds amazing.”

WHAT HE FINDS SEXY: “If someone doesn’t have an Instagram.”

WHAT MAKES HIM HAPPIEST: “Going home to Maine,” he says. “I go for walks, I’m barefoot all the time. That’s my peak happiness—barefoot summer in Maine.”

Fair enough. Drama’s fun. You’ve been on tour for a while. Have you been writing while you’re on the road? Where are you finding inspiration these days?

ROLE MODEL: I’m writing a lot, yeah. I had a lot of time this summer doing new things and shooting a movie [Lena Dunham's Good Sex] and having new experiences, going home, reconnecting with old friends. It feels different this time. I’m not pulling myself out of social experiences to write an album. I’m trying to do the opposite and experience everything right now. I’d love to have another album out [by] next fall, but we’ll see. I can’t plan that far ahead.

With the success “Sally” has had, I feel a lot of artists would look at that and feel pressure to follow it up. What is your take on that?

ROLE MODEL: I felt that for a little bit and decided that maybe that wasn’t the time to start writing, if I’m in that headspace. And then, I don’t know, at some point, I stopped feeling any pressure to top it. I made it two years ago, and I think I’ve grown now, and I can write better songs than this, so I’m not worried.

Jonny Marlow

Mothfood vintage jumpsuit. Timberland shoes.

You mentioned working on a movie. How was that experience, especially with Lena Dunham directing and with co-stars Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo? Did you always want to act?

ROLE MODEL: It was very cool. I don’t think I could do a horror movie, but [Dunham] said rom-com and I was like, “Yes, I feel like I can do that.” When I officially got [the role], I was like, “I guess I’m an actor now.” And I was s------g my pants like, “What have I gotten myself into? I don’t know if I can do this.” But we did it.

Jonny Marlow

Saint Laurent shirt & pants.

Making music and acting are two totally different kinds of artistry. How did you find the process of expressing yourself different than being a musician?

ROLE MODEL: With music, it’s kind of, sadly, just all about you and everything’s up to you and you’re in control. With film, it’s the opposite. You are there to service someone else and their movie, and you are just kind of like a tool for them. I was very happy to be Lena’s tool.

You have a very funny onstage bit where you introduce yourself to your audience as different celebrities. Sometimes it’s Sabrina Carpenter or Kris Jenner, and there’s a hilarious viral video of you signing something for someone as Jacob Elordi. Have you ever actually met any of these people?

ROLE MODEL: The only one that I’ve crossed paths with is Jacob. I recently went to a dinner in Paris and I happened to be seated across from him and I walked in and he was like, “My twin, my brother,” and we talked and caught up. He was very cool and he was like, “The first thing I ever saw about you is you signing autographs in Central Park as me.” But he was very cool with it. He seemed to love it. He invited me to go surfing.

Jonny Marlow

Saint Laurent shirt & pants.

Do you surf?

ROLE MODEL: No. But I told him I did. I will take lessons. I will become a surfer to go do that with him.

This is the Sexiest Man Alive issue, after all. What’s something you find sexy?

ROLE MODEL: What do I find sexy? If someone doesn’t have an Instagram.

What is your ideal date night?

ROLE MODEL: Just go get a drink. Go get one drink. Literally, that’s it. I don’t like to do dinner, I like to eat by myself. But go get a drink, sounds amazing. Wine, whatever. It’s like, let me just get my nutrients in me and then let’s go have fun.

You’re a Taurus. Does that mean anything to you?

ROLE MODEL: No, it doesn’t. Someone told me that I like material things because I’m a Taurus and that might be true, but I don’t… They all apply to everyone. It’s just a hoax. I’m sorry. It’s like, we got to get a different hobby than that.

What do you smell like?

ROLE MODEL: Oh God. I mean, it depends on what time of day, but I think I smell good. Guys? Can we get an audible confirmation on that? [Photo and video crew cheers]. Generally, I smell good. I like musk. I like pine or firewood.

So earthy Maine things.

ROLE MODEL: I wasn’t going to say it. I feel like we’ve said that too much.

Do you have a biggest dating fail?

ROLE MODEL: I went on a date with someone that was just mean the whole time. I think sometimes out of nervousness, sometimes people deal with nerves by being mean. I’ve probably done that, maybe at some point, but it was just constant. I was just verbally getting attacks all night. I think a took a four-month break after that of dating.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

ROLE MODEL: I guess I have watched the same podcast every day for the past four years. Literally every day. It’s kind of just one of those background noise things that people have. That’s mine. It’s a comedy podcast, and I’ll never say the name of it, but I only watched the first 80 episodes, and so I just re-watch all those for the past four years.

Did you listen to it this morning?

ROLE MODEL: Yeah. Literally every day for the past four years.

Do you have it memorized now?

ROLE MODEL: Yes. Sometimes I… whatever the equivalent of singing along is to a song, I do that with the pod. It’s f-----g weird.

What makes you the happiest?

ROLE MODEL: Going home to Maine. Being in Maine. I go to the beach a lot. I go for walks. I am barefoot all the time. That’s maybe my peak happiness, is like, barefoot, summer in Maine. My favorite thing ever.

Credits

Photographer: Jonny Marlow

Cinematographer: Eric Longden

Groomer: Luca Tullio

Stylist: Jake Sammis / A-Frame Agency

Set Design: Wanted PD

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Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”