Tulisa is voted the planet’s sexiest woman
FHM is has announced that Tulisa Contostavlos as the winner of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2012 poll, in association with VO5 Extreme Style.
The former N-Dubz singer and X Factor judge has sensationally stolen the crown from 2011 winner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (who drops down to 18th), beating two-time winner Cheryl Cole into second place.
Winning the coveted Sexiest Woman in the World crown comes in the midst of a rollercoaster year for Camden-born Tulisa, 24. Her stint as X Factor judge saw her mentor the ‘Groups’ category, including Little Mix (the first ever group winner in the competition) and she’s set to release her debut solo single ‘Young’ from her first album ‘The Female Boss’ later this month.
Commenting on her win, Tulisa, who appears in an exclusive cover shoot in the June issue of FHM, said: “Thank you so much for voting for me. It’s a true honour and definitely a lovely confidence boost.
I’m proud of me and I am who I am and I know that I’m marmite and I wouldn’t wanna be anything less or anything more, I’m just myself.”
She added: “This is one that will stay on the mantelpiece probably for the rest of my life.”
Tulisa’s victory makes it the fourth victory in a row for us Brits. Cheryl Cole made history in 2010 by becoming the first British woman to win the prestigious accolade for two consecutive years, before model and Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley took last year’s title.
The only other Brits to win title during the poll’s 18-year history are Keira Knightley in 2006 and Kelly Brook in 2005.
Kelly, off the back of consecutive top ten entries, falls 12 spots to number 20. She has appeared in more FHM 100 Sexiest lists than anybody else, popping up an incredible13 times since 1995.
Cheryl may have had a tough year after losing her spot on the US X Factor, but the nation’s sweetheart has soared back into the top ten to claim second place, after sensationally dropping out of last year’s top ten. She knocks newly single pop princess Katy Perry (second place last year) down into sixth.
Barbadian beauty Rihanna has retained her position at number three for a consecutive year while British model Rosie Jones made a sensational re-entry into fourth place after failing to rank last year.
This year’s highest new entry is Irish model Georgia Salpa. The Celebrity Big Brother contestant debuts at number five.
She commented: “People always talk about the 100 Sexiest – girls as well – and to think that you’d actually be in it…! I like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, she’s amazing, I love her and Megan Fox too, I think she’s really hot.”
Hollywood sex symbol and 2008 champion Megan Fox clings on to her top ten slot at number seven and FHM favourite Keeley Hazell makes a triumphant return to the list, coming in at number eight. The model, who is reported to have moved to America to pursue an acting career, came second in 2006 and 2007 and fifth in 2009 and 2010.
In at number nine is Friends With Benefits actress Mila Kunis and rounding off the top ten is stunning British actress Emily Atack, star of the hit-comedy The Inbetweeners and soon-to-be-released movie Outside Bet, in which she stars alongside Bob Hoskins.
Famed around the world for her perfect derriere following her very public stint as a bridesmaid, Pippa Middleton is the highest ranking royal – however, she’s narrowly missed out a top ten spot, making a show-stopping entrance at number 11. Meanwhile, despite creeping up seven places since 2011, her sister, Kate Middleton aka The Duchess of Cambridge, could only manage 32nd place.
The Middletons are only the third set of sisters to appear in the same list, the others being Dannii and Kylie Minogue and Kara and Hannah Tointon. Kate is the third royal to appear in the list after Princess Diana and Princess Caroline.
In keeping with the Royal theme, three of Prince Harry’s alleged girlfriends past and present fight it out in this year’s list. TV presenter Caroline Flack is a new entry at 48, Florence ‘Flee’ Brudenell Bruce is at 57 and Saturdays singer Mollie King, rumoured to be HRH’s latest squeeze, debuts at an impressive number 14, five places ahead of bandmate Frankie Sandford (19).
Hot on their heels is Little Mix Geordie Jade Thirlwall (49) - the X Factor winner is a new entry and the only member of the band to be recognised.
Acting and singing are officially the sexiest professions with six past winners being actresses and six being singers. 2012 was a bumper year for British talent and from a record 45 new entries, 25 are new faces from the British TV and music industry.
Made In Chelsea’s posh totty Millie Mackintosh is a new entry at number 15, while her co-star Caggie Dunlop is the only other MIC cast-member to grace the list at number 80. Over in Essex, Queen of TOWIE Lucy Mecklenburgh makes her debut at 67.
The One Show’s Welsh wonder Alex Jones is in at 82 and Dancing on Ice host Christine Bleakley gets a nod again this year. The Northern Irish TV presenter, who is engaged to Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard, has jumped a huge 35 places from 93 to 58.
Over in soap-land Corrie beauty Michelle Keegan has retained her position at number 26, while former co-star Helen Flanagan gets a nod at 47. Hollyoaks hottie Jorgie Porter falls 36 places to number 86, and Jennifer Metcalfe dramatically crashes out of the list altogether.
Dr Who actress Karen Gillan flies the flag for Scotland; she jumps six places from 42 to 36 while fellow Scot Freyor Mavor (Skins) debuts at 78.
It’s been a great year for Jenna Louise Coleman - the former Emmerdale actress is not only set to star as Dr Who’s new assistant but is a new entry this year, edging in at 91. She was joined in the 90s by adrenalin-junkie and Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton at 96 and Downton Abbey’s Jessica Findlay Brown at 98.
At the age of 44, breakfast TV stalwart Kate Garraway is the most senior entry this year. The Daybreak presenter proved she’s still got it, entering the list for the first time, at number 97.
Notable exceptions from the 2012 list include both Minogue and Tointon sisters, Sarah Harding, Nadine Coyle, Eva Mendes, Lady Gaga, Chelsy Davy, Billie Piper, Lindsay Lohan and Leona Leiwis.
Jennifer Aniston dropped out of the list for the first time since 1996 last year but re-enters at 79.
Each 100 Sexiest poll uncovers some more unusual celebrity crushes and this year is no exception. Dragon’s Den regular Deborah Meaden notched up a few votes this year along with I’m A Celebrity star Fatima Whitbread, 65-year old singer Cher and BBC Sport presenter, Clare Balding.
Now in its 18th year, FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll is the original and biggest search for the sexiest women in the world. This year hundreds of thousands voted from the UK and around the world.
Joe Barnes, Editor of FHM, commented: “The response we’ve had from readers for FHM’s 100 Sexiest has been overwhelming this year. There are definitely a few surprise omissions and new entries, but it’s fantastic to see such a strong British showing, with three quarters of the top 20 coming from the UK and Ireland. A big congratulations goes out to Tulisa, who’s had a sensational year, and I’m sure will only go on to bigger and better things over the next 12 months.
“FHM's 100 Sexiest supplement, featuring the hottest women in the world, comes free with the June edition of FHM magazine, on sale now (Wednesday, 2 May).”
To see the more of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World visit fhm.com/100sexiest.