Bridgerton Star Jonathan Bailey Takes Break to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights
Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey announces sabbatical from acting to lead The Shameless Fund, his LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, addressing critical funding gaps in UK charitable giving.
Jonathan Bailey, star of Netflix's Bridgerton, announces sabbatical to focus on LGBTQ+ advocacy through The Shameless Fund
London-based actor Jonathan Bailey, renowned for his role in Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton," has announced plans to temporarily step away from acting to focus on advancing LGBTQ+ rights through his non-profit organization, The Shameless Fund.
Strategic Pause for Social Impact
Bailey, 37, whose commitment to civil rights advocacy mirrors the current wave of activist engagement in British society, revealed his decision in a candid interview with British GQ. "I've been working solidly for about three years now, which has been amazing and mind-blowing," Bailey explained. "But with everything happening in the world right now, I'm going to stop acting for a bit next year and just focus on The Shameless Fund."
The Shameless Fund's Mission
Founded in June 2024, The Shameless Fund represents a significant shift in progressive advocacy within the UK's charitable sector. The organization's mission addresses a stark funding disparity: only 1p out of every £100 raised in the UK reaches LGBTQ+ community initiatives.
"Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on staffing and making sure we get all the right people in all the right places...There's this statistic: out of every £100 raised in the UK, only 1p goes to the LGBTQ+ community. You really have to dig to find solutions, and I genuinely think The Shameless Fund is exactly that," Bailey stated.
Continuing Creative Commitments
While Bailey plans this strategic pause, his artistic presence will remain visible through upcoming projects. Most notably, he will appear in the second part of Jon M Chu's "Wicked," alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, set for release on November 21. This project follows his acclaimed portrayal of Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's "Bridgerton," which has helped establish him as one of Britain's most influential public figures advocating for social change.
Thomas Reynolds
Correspondent for a London daily, specialist in British foreign policy and transatlantic issues.