Too hot for Manhattan? Jude Bellingham becomes number one hazard to New York traffic

Jude Bellingham has become an unlikely tourist attraction in New York City, where an enormous Calvin Klein advertisement featuring the Real Madrid midfielder is reportedly causing distractions for motorists and pedestrians alike.

The 23-year-old England international is the face of the fashion brand's latest underwear campaign, with his photograph dominating a prominent billboard at the intersection of Houston and Lafayette Streets in Manhattan.

While Bellingham is accustomed to drawing crowds at soccer stadiums, his latest appearance has generated an entirely different kind of attention, with visitors reportedly traveling across the city to see the revealing advertisement.

The display, located in the fashionable NoHo neighborhood, has become particularly popular among social media users, who have shared videos of themselves posing beneath the soccer player's photograph.

However, the excitement has reportedly extended into the surrounding streets, with nearby residents claiming that passing drivers have been stopping to photograph the billboard.

"All day long people have been honking horns and getting out of their cars to take videos," a local resident told Page Six. Another source described the display as "a tourist attraction now," adding: "He is a babe."

Bellingham's Calvin Klein ad attracts unexpected crowds

The billboard measures approximately 55 feet by 75 feet and occupies one of Calvin Klein 's most recognizable advertising locations in Manhattan.

The campaign officially launched on November 2, although the company had already generated interest through a mysterious teaser featuring Bellingham 's physique without revealing his identity.

Fans quickly identified the soccer star, and the completed advertisement has since inspired numerous TikTok videos from visitors eager to see the enormous display.

One creator jokingly suggested that women claiming to be shopping in nearby SoHo might actually be visiting the neighborhood to admire Bellingham .

Another described the billboard as the "best view in NYC," reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding the campaign.

There have also been reports of vehicles stopping near the display, resulting in traffic delays and official warnings to drivers.

Bellingham follows famous names

Bellingham 's photographs were taken in Madrid during August by photographer Oliver Hadlee Pearch , with the midfielder modeling several pieces from Calvin Klein's Icon Cotton Stretch collection.

The campaign includes the brand's Hip Brief, Boxer Brief and Shine Trunk designs, continuing its tradition of featuring internationally recognizable entertainers and athletes.

Speaking about the collaboration, Bellingham said he appreciated the campaign's emphasis on personal confidence.

"I really enjoyed working on this campaign," he said. "I liked the idea of 'the icon underneath' – that confidence starts with feeling comfortable in yourself."

His appearance follows previous campaigns featuring Bad Bunny and Jeremy Allen White , whose photographs also attracted significant attention at the same Manhattan location.

Bellingham is already familiar with fashion advertising, having previously modeled for Kim Kardashian's Skims brand in 2024.

The latest campaign further strengthens his growing profile beyond soccer, demonstrating how his appeal has expanded from LaLiga and Champions League audiences into international fashion.

Whether the reported traffic disruption continues remains to be seen, but Bellingham has already achieved something unusual for a soccer star, in becoming one of Manhattan's most talked-about roadside attractions.