I was two years younger than my classmates,” PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive recalls of his socially awkward early years
These days the 40-year-old music superstar is having fun celebrating his latest distinction of EGOTSMA, a new acronym representing the fact that he’s won an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony award) and now Sexiest Man Alive.
But the Voice coach, who just released the new deluxe edition of his holiday album A Legendary Christmas, admits he wasn’t always the confident, swoon-worthy guy fans have come to know love.
“Oh yes, I had an awkward phase,” says Legend of his early years. “I was two years younger than my classmates, so I get to high school, everyone else is around 14 and I’m 12. And I get to college, everyone else is around 18 and I’m 16,” recalls the star.
Though the Ivy-league educated musician had brains beyond his years, he says “I was always like less mature, less at ease socially. I had plenty of awkward times.”
A savant who picked up playing piano at age 3, Legend says he tried using his skills to win over the ladies at an early age. “I tried, I’d say around 12 or so to start writing songs for girls I liked. It wasn’t extremely effective at age 12 but I got better at it,” he says, adding, “I eventually wrote ‘All of Me’. It’s got about two billion views now.”
And he landed the girl of his dreams, model-turned-cookbook chef and TV star Chrissy Teigen, 33, whom he married in 2013. “She always looks amazing,” says Legend. “And I get to stand next to her a lot and I don’t want to be a huge let down…so I try to dress well enough to be worthy of being next to my wife.”
Despite Legend becoming a local celebrity on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus for his performances in a popular A cappella group while in school, breaking into the music business wasn’t easy. “I was turned down by every record label in existence, including the one I’m signed to now,” says Legend, whose first album Get Lifted in 2004 earned him the Grammy for best new artist. “I kept going until I finally turned those no’s into a yes.”
As for what he thinks is his sexiest quality, “I mean, I’m a pretty good singer. That helps,” he says with a smirk. “Least sexy? I love to do crossword puzzles. I’m a nerd in a lot of ways.”
John Legend Is PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2019: ‘I’m Excited but a Little Scared at the Same Time’
And while he has little insecurities like everyone else (“I don’t like my legs that much truthfully, so it’s a good thing we didn’t have shorts in the shoot!”) Legend, who’s dad to Luna, 3½, and Miles, 18 months, says he couldn’t be more at ease with himself now.
“I think you grow into being comfortable in your own skin,” he says. “Most of your teenage years, into your 20s, you’re still figuring out who you are, how you present yourself to the world…eventually I think you get more at ease with yourself. I know who I am. Maturity helps with that.”
For more on the Sexiest Man Alive – and all the hottest guys in Hollywood – click here and pick up this week’s issue, on stands Friday, Nov. 15!
News
Kid Rock claims Taylor Swift only wanted to be a Democrat ‘to be in the movies’ in crude, sexist tweet that suggests the hugely successful singer will sleep her way to the top in Hollywood
Kid Rock accused Taylor Swift of being a Democrat solely to advance her aspiring movie career. ‘Taylor Swift wants to be a democrat because she wants to be in movies….period,’ the musician, who supports Donald Trump, tweeted on Friday. …
In a move that shocked the country music community and beyond, Country Music Television (CMT) has announced a permanent boycott of Taylor Swift. Bold decision accompanied by harsh statement “Her music is worse than Garth Brooks”
CMT Announces Permanent Boycott of Taylor Swift, “Her Music Is Worse Than Garth Brooks’” Taylor Swift, a name synonymous with both country and pop music success, has been a polarizing figure since her transition from country roots to global pop…
Board of Directors Decides to Disqualify Beyoncé’s New Country Album as a Nightmare
Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, has been disqualified from the prestigious Grammy’s Album of the Year category. This decision has sparked a whirlwind of debate and disappointment among fans and music critics alike. The album, which marks Beyoncé’s creative dive into the country music…
Darius Rucker believes Beyonce’s new album is good for country music.
Beyonce is good for country music, says Darius Rucker The 42-year-old star released ‘Cowboy Carter’ in March, and Darius – who pivoted to country music back in 2008 – has now hailed Beyonce’s recent switch to a country-inspired sound. …
Elon Musk Confronts Beyoncé, “You Should Be Fined For Impersonating A Country Artist”
In a surprising turn of events, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and music icon Beyoncé have found themselves at odds over artistic expression and genre boundaries. The clash unfolded publicly after Beyoncé launched her new country album titled “Cowboy Carter,” which…
Jay-Z Paid More Than $20 Million to Country Radio Stations to Play Beyonce Songs So She’d Top the Billboard Country Charts
ALLOD Mυsical Aпalyst, Joe Barroп, sheds light oп the sitυatioп, referriпg to it as “Operatioп Pυsh Cowboy Carter,” which has beeп iп motioп for several moпths. Allegedly, Jay Z, Beyoпcé’s hυsbaпd, has beeп reachiпg oυt to radio statioпs пatioпwide, offeriпg…
End of content
No more pages to load