Tyriq Withers Paints a Custom Trunk and Wrangles Pigs on Ideal Dates
The actor discusses his Met Gala outfit, his late brother's influence, and his vision for a large family in the October 29 issue of People.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Actor Tyriq Withers appeared in the October 29 issue of People as the 2026 Sexiest Man Alive. In the exclusive interview, the 28-year-old discussed his recent roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Him, and Reminders of Him. He also opened up about his personal life, including his fashion habits and his desire to have children.
Withers grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where his mother instilled an early interest in style. He recalled wearing all-white skinny jeans, Hollister T-shirts, and Vans in middle school. "I always took fashion very seriously," he said. Since making his acting debut in Atlanta in 2020, his wardrobe has shifted to designer brands. At the May Met Gala, he wore a custom Louis Vuitton ensemble that included a sheer shirt and a crystal-studded jacket. He joked about trying to get a Birkin bag, adding, "I’m not in that tax bracket."
The actor described the past year as a period of professional firsts. He cited the press tours and premieres for his recent projects as evidence of his rising profile. "I’m just extremely grateful," he said. "Hopefully we can just keep this train going." His breakout role came in Season 3 of Donald Glover’s Atlanta, where he played Aaron, a high school senior struggling with college finances. The character faced a surreal audition to prove his racial identity for a scholarship. Withers noted that he did not fully grasp the show's cultural impact while filming. "It’s paramount to where I’m at today," he explained. He credited Glover with pushing his storytelling abilities during that episode.
Withers shared his methods for maintaining mental health and happiness outside of work. He listed trail mix, walks with friends, music, beach days, and therapy as key components of his routine. He described his post-therapy mood as feeling like a "Phoenix." On the subject of romance, Withers detailed an elaborate gift he once created for a partner. He called it a bad-day box. He painted a trunk with black charcoal chalk paint and gave the recipient a marker to write encouraging notes to her future self. The trunk contained personalized gifts and played the woman’s favorite song when opened. His ideal date involves a competitive element, such as paintball or wrestling pigs, rather than a standard dinner.
Withers also spoke about his late brother, Kionte, who died in a car crash in 2021 at age 26. He remembered watching his brother become a father and seeing a softer side of him. "I saw the love he had for his son, and you could tell it filled a void that he had in lack of fatherly love," Withers said. He believes his brother continues to influence his nephew’s life spiritually and emotionally. This bond with his family informs his own goals for the future. He wants to have two to four children and a full life beyond acting. "I want to have a little mini-me, maybe two, three or four," he said. He hopes to be rich in friendship, family, and designer bags.
