Riley Green, the 37-year-old Alabama native known for his rugged charm and heartfelt country anthems, has been voted People’s “Sexiest Country Star” for 2025, edging out fellow nominees Cody Johnson, Shaboozey, and Warren Zeiders in a poll that drew over 350,000 votes from the magazine’s dedicated readers.

The announcement, dropped on October 29 as part of People’s annual “Sexiest Man Alive” buildup, marks the first year the publication included a dedicated country music category in its Readers’ Choice poll—a nod to the genre’s growing crossover appeal and heartthrob status. Green, with his signature flannel shirts, baseball caps, and that easy Southern drawl, topped the ballot with a landslide, prompting fans to flood social media with reactions like “Finally official” and “Took y’all long enough.” The win caps a stellar year for Green, who’s fresh off a summer tour that sold out arenas and a string of chart-climbing singles, including his latest release “Worst Way” from the album Ain’t My Last Rodeo.

Born in Jacksonville, Alabama, on October 18, 1988, Green grew up steeped in the sounds of classic country—George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Merle Haggard blaring from his family’s record player. His grandfather, a local musician, gifted him his first guitar at age 10, sparking a passion that led to college gigs at Jacksonville State University, where he studied business but spent more time strumming originals in dive bars. By 2013, Green was self-releasing EPs like Ain’t a Bad Time to Fall in Love, but it was his 2018 BMLG Records debut Different ‘Round Here that catapulted him to stardom. Tracks like the nostalgic “There Was This Girl” and the rowdy “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” showcased his knack for blending blue-collar storytelling with universal hooks, earning him a fervent fanbase dubbed the “Riley Green Army.”

Green’s appeal isn’t just in his lyrics—it’s the whole package. At 6-foot-2 with a beard that screams “backwoods bonfire,” he’s the guy who’d fix your truck before cracking open a beer to tell a story. Fans have long crowned him an unofficial heartthrob, with TikTok edits of his live shows racking up millions of views and merchandise lines featuring his “Get Schooled” tour tees selling out in hours. This People’s nod feels like validation from the mainstream, especially after country stars like Blake Shelton (People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2017) and Luke Bryan paved the way. “It’s flattering, but what I do for a living ain’t really reality,” Green told Wide Open Country in a September interview, downplaying the hype while admitting the poll “gives me a good laugh with the boys.”

The competition was no slouch. Cody Johnson, the Texas powerhouse behind hits like “Til You Can’t,” brought his cowboy grit and family-man vibe to the race. Shaboozey, the Virginia-raised rapper-turned-country sensation who’s collaborating with Beyoncé on her Cowboy Carter album, added urban edge with tracks like “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” And Warren Zeiders, the 25-year-old TikTok phenom with his raw, Post Malone-meets-Morgan Wallen sound on “Pretty Little Poison,” represented the genre’s youthful fire. Yet Green’s blend of authenticity and approachability won out—perhaps because he’s the one who’d invite you to his family’s deer camp without missing a beat.

Social media lit up post-announcement, with X (formerly Twitter) users posting memes of Green in flannel captioned “Officially too hot to handle” and fan art dubbing him “King of the Backroads.” Whiskey Riff called it “the least surprising pick of all time,” while Country Thang Daily noted the internet’s collective “obviously.” Even Green’s competitors chimed in: Johnson tweeted a playful “Congrats, brother—next beer on me,” and Shaboozey shared a photo of them on tour with the caption “Family first.” The buzz has insiders speculating Green could eye the full “Sexiest Man Alive” title next year, joining the ranks of fellow musicians like John Legend (2019) and Harry Styles (if country keeps climbing).

But Green’s not one to let accolades inflate his ego. Raised by a schoolteacher mom and a dad who coached Little League, he credits his grounded roots for keeping him steady. “Alabama taught me to work hard and stay humble,” he said in a recent Parade interview, reflecting on his pre-fame days hauling hay bales and playing Friday night football. Philanthropy runs deep too—through his Hunt the Harvest initiative, Green partners with farms to donate venison to food banks, feeding thousands annually. And while he’s dated models and influencers, he’s kept his personal life low-key, once joking in a podcast that his ideal date is “a bonfire and a bad playlist nobody admits to liking.”

Musically, 2025 has been Green’s victory lap. His third studio album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo, dropped in March to critical acclaim, featuring collabs with Hardy on “Redneck Tendencies” and a duet with Ella Langley on “You Look Good in My Shirt.” The record’s themes of small-town love and hard-won lessons resonate with fans facing their own crossroads, much like his breakthrough “If It Wasn’t for Trucks,” a 2020 hit that painted a vivid picture of rural resilience. Touring-wise, he’s headlining the Damn Country Music Tour through December, with stops in Nashville, Vegas, and even a holiday show in his home state. “Touring’s where the magic happens,” he told PennLive, praising the energy of sold-out crowds singing back every word.

As People’s first “Sexiest Country Star,” Green joins a legacy of genre icons who’ve blurred lines between music and magnetism—think Tim McGraw’s smoldering gaze or Chris Stapleton’s gravelly allure. But Green’s win signals country’s evolution: no longer just boots and ballads, but a cultural force packing stadiums and dominating playlists. With streaming numbers soaring (his Spotify monthly listeners top 10 million) and a Netflix documentary on his rise in the works, 2026 could see him crossing even more barriers.

For now, the Jacksonville boy is soaking it in with a grin. “Y’all voted me what now? Guess I’ll wear the crown at the next deer stand,” he posted on Instagram, a photo of him in camo with a mock tiara. Fans couldn’t agree more—Riley Green’s not just sexy; he’s the real deal, the kind of star who makes you feel like family. As the poll’s dust settles, one thing’s clear: country’s hottest ticket just got hotter.