# People’s New Sexiest Man Alive Is Proving Weirdly Controversial

> Noah Wyle’s win for People’s Sexiest Man Alive sparks backlash over political views and alleged sexism.
- Title: People’s New Sexiest Man Alive Is Proving Weirdly…
- Summary: Noah Wyle’s win for People’s Sexiest Man Alive sparks backlash over political views and alleged sexism. Noah Wyle, actor of The Pitt, became People’s Sexiest…
- Keywords: noah wyle, the pitt, people magazine, sexiest man alive, political views, alleged sexism, hbo max, People, Sexiest, Man, Alive, Proving
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/culture/2026/10/noah-wyle-sexiest-man-alive-people-the-pitt-er-controversy.html?via=rss
- Author: Nadira Goffe
- Published: 2026-10-28T21:31:14.408+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: noah wyle, the pitt, people magazine, sexiest man alive, political views, alleged sexism, hbo max, er
## People’s Sexiest Man Alive
People magazine crowned Noah Wyle as this year’s Sexiest Man Alive.
## Wyle’s Career Shift
Wyle, 55, transitioned from ER to HBO Max’s The Pitt after leaving NBC’s medical procedural.
## The Pitt’s Success
The Pitt became HBO Max’s top five most-watched series debut in 2025 with high viewership growth.
## Wyle’s Accusations
Wyle faces criticism for signing a pro-Israel message after Oct. 7 and alleged sexist remarks on set.
## Confederacy Connection
Wyle’s great-great-great-grandfather fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
## On-Set Controversy
Wyle has been accused of sexism after joking about yelling at women on set and mistreating castmates.
## Cast Changes
The Pitt lost prominent female cast members after Season 1, sparking fan concerns about on-set culture.
## Political Tensions
Wyle’s wife linked to pro-Palestine content, while he supports organizations critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
## Public Backlash
Online critics accuse Wyle of being unattractive and politically problematic after winning the award.
## Legal Battle
Crichton’s estate is suing Warner Bros. and The Pitt creators, including Wyle, over show’s format changes.
## Wyle’s Response
Wyle defended his actions, stating he would rather know about Confederate ancestry than not fight at all.
## The Debate
Some argue Wyle’s controversies are trivial, while others see them as significant political and cultural issues.
## What’s Next
Wyle’s status as Sexiest Man Alive remains contested as public opinion shifts against him.
## Key takeaway

Noah Wyle, actor of The Pitt, became People’s Sexiest Man Alive despite criticism over political stances and on-set conduct.