John Legend Picked As People's 'Sexiest Man Alive'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- This year's "Sexiest Man Alive" is singer John Legend, and for the first time People Magazine is releasing two different covers of the winner -- one wet, one dry.

Legend has won 10 Grammy Awards, but the 40-year-old singer's latest accomplishment has surprised some people.

"I don't think of him as sexy. Like attractive and talented? Yes. Sexy? No. But I still think it's a great choice because he's an amazing person," Brooklyn resident Rashida Robinson told CBS2's Cindy Hsu on Wednesday.

"I thought it was cute. He's like a little teddy bear. I love his smile. He's got that beautiful smile, you know?" added Maritza Rosa-Diaz of Washington Heights.

Even college student Spencer Moore, who admittedly doesn't keep up with this stuff, loves the guy.

"Very, very good character. He gives a lot of joy to people through his music and through his acting and everything, so I think it suits him," Moore said.

Legend is married to supermodel Chrissy Teigen. They have two kids and she posted their reaction to dad's latest accomplishment.

Legend is also really smart. He started high school at 12 years old and college at 16. He got into Harvard and Georgetown, but chose the University of Pennsylvania and studied English and African-American literature.

Legend is also a social activist and he and his wife share a lot of family moments with fans on social media.

CBS Flashback: John Legend And Chrissy Teigen At DNC 2008 For Barack Obama's Nomination:

People Magazine chose Legend for being a "good guy" who's got it all.

"He's a devoted husband, a fantastic father, a deservedly multi-winning artist. He is famously an EGOT after all," said People's Kate Coyne.

EGOT stands for winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. Only 15 stars have achieved that status. and Legend is the first African-American male to join the club. People Magazine gave him a special necklace that says "EGOTSMA."

Legend said his parents taught him that to succeed in life you must have grace and humility, and treat other people kindly. The "Ordinary People" singer said while he's excited, it's a lot of pressure since he'll likely be picked apart by people questioning if he's deserving of the title. He told People Magazine it's especially unfair to follow Idris Elba who was last year's "Sexiest Man Alive."

The "Sexiest Man Alive" issue goes on stand this Friday.