Kate Flannery Defends John Krasinski’s 'Sexiest Man' Title As Fans Express Mixed Reactions

Kate Flannery, beloved for her role as Meredith Palmer on "The Office," is showing some serious love for her former co-star John Krasinski following his recent honor as PEOPLE Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2024.

Despite some skepticism from fans who expected different contenders for the title, including Glen Powell, Kate Flannery remains John Krasinski’s biggest cheerleader, noting how hot he's gotten since "The Office."

After learning of her former co-star's win, she joked that the magazine "is finally catching up."

"Let me tell you something, this is so long overdue," she told TMZ. "John Krasinski's gotten robbed every year since 2005, in my opinion. It's so time."

Flannery, now 60, is especially impressed by how much John has bulked up since "The Office" wrapped, particularly for his roles in "Jack Ryan" and "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi."

"He is so hot, my eyes are melting every time I see him in person," she told the outlet. "John has always been adorable and really cute, but I feel like people haven't seen his sexiness because he's so cute. So it's the perfect marriage of two things."

She continued, "You see a spark in someone right away, and John's always had it. He's always had it."

John Krasinski was caught off guard when he learned he’d been named PEOPLE’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive.

“Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts,” he told the magazine. “Other than maybe I'm being punked. That's not how I wake up, thinking, ‘Is this the day that I'll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?’ And yet it was the day you guys did it. You guys have really raised the bar for me.”

Now residing in Brooklyn with his wife of 14 years, actress Emily Blunt, and their daughters, Hazel and Violet, Krasinski shares that Blunt was “very excited” upon hearing the big news. “There was a lot of joy involved in me telling her," he recalled.

After the news dropped, social media had mixed reactions, with some claiming Krasinski is "cute" but not "sexy."

"Like, I don’t disagree. John Krasinski and Jim Halpert changed the trajectory of my life, but one thing about PEOPLE magazine," one user said. "They’re gonna make a man SMA in the wrong year every single time."

"JOHN KRASINSKI?????? OUR NATION'S MOST TRYING HOUR AND YOU GIVE US JOHN KRASINSKI?!?!" another exclaimed.

Others, however, couldn't disagree more. "ig im the only happy about John Krasinski…" one X user wrote.

"Idk about everyone else, but I am very much pleased with John Krasinski as Sexiest Man Alive 2024," another said.

Many other social media users shared that Glen Powell, not John Krasinski, should have been crowned PEOPLE's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive.

"John Krasinski won Sexiest Man Alive 2024 while Glen Powell is Alive and strutting in a white tee and cowboy hat making even Mother Nature herself," one user wrote, adding a GIF of just that.

"This photo of Glen Powell with his nipple out being released on the same day of John Krasinski’s Sexiest Man Alive photoshoot? OMG I’D LIKE TO REPORT A MURDER," another wrote.

Other actors, in addition to Powell, were named, including Pedro Pascal and Hugh Jackman.

"Dear @people magazine, are you outta your freaking minds? John Krasinski over Glen Powell, Pedro Pascal, Hugh Jackman, Sebastian Stan, Ryan Gosling and THE LIST GOES ON!" they wrote.

This news comes just two weeks after it was announced that a "Jack Ryan" movie with John Krasinski is in the works at Amazon MGM Studios.

According to Variety, Wendell Pierce is confirmed to reprise his role as James Greer, while Michael Kelly is in talks to return as Mike November. Andrew Bernstein, who directed and served as an executive producer on Season 2, will direct the movie, working from a script by Aaron Rabin, a co-executive producer and writer from Season 4.

Krasinski and Allyson Seeger are producing through their company, Sunday Night, along with Andrew Form. Paramount Pictures and Skydance are also backing the project, with Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg serving as executive producers alongside John Kelly and Carlton Cuse.