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MAXIM MAGAZINE

 MAXIM MAGAZINE Unveils the 'Hot 100' for 2004

April 2004 (Newstream) -- MAXIM Magazine, the #1 best-selling men's general interest magazine in the country and the world, unveils their highly anticipated 5th annual Hot 100 list. Pop culture phenomenon Jessica Simpson (Newlyweds) heads up the list with the #1 spot. Rounding out the Top 10: Destiny's Child Diva Beyonce Knowles (#2); pop-sensation Christina Aguilera (#3); tennis sensation Anna Kournikova (#4); pop icon Jennifer Lopez (#5), The O.C's Mischa Barton (#6); Godsend and The Punisher's Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (#7); The Simple Life's Paris Hilton (#8); Honey's Jessica Alba (#9) and Oscar® winner and star of Catwoman, Halle Berry (#10).

The MAXIM Hot 100 continues to be a barometer of Hollywood cool and this marks its 5th anniversary. Each year, MAXIM chooses 100 of the most successful women of the year in film, television, music, sports and fashion. All of the women on the list have one thing in common, and that is their careers promise even greater things to come. Editors are given the daunting task of selecting which of these women will keep people talking throughout the year.

"We single out beautiful women whose careers are on fire," says MAXIM Editor-in-Chief Keith Blanchard. "The selection process is top-secret and extremely labor-intensive. We have two interns working fulltime just keeping our wives and girlfriends out of the room."

Simpson, who has seen her stardom rocket since the debut of her MTV reality show Newlyweds and her multi platinum CD In The Skin, says of her #1 status, "It's such an honor to be chosen as #1 on MAXIM's Hot 100 list. I'm such a girl's girl, so it's nice to get the stamp of approval from the boys. It's way better than being number 101."

Up next for Simpson, The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour on ABC (airs on Sunday, April 11th), a comedy pilot for ABC and the launch of her edible fragrance line "Dessert."

Simpson joins past #1 picks, Christina Aguilera (2003), Jennifer Garner (2002), Jessica Alba (2001) and Estella Warren (2000). Each girl continues to captivate audiences and garner worldwide attention. Last year, MAXIM first brought such stars to our attention as Maggie Gyllenhaal, who the magazine placed on the list at #55 (now #25) when she was only known for starring in the indie film Secretary, and Eve at #71 (now #11) when her hip hop career was just beginning to take off.

Just as they have in the past, women in music dominate the 2004 Hot 100 list. The successful, up-and-coming female artists on the list include:

  • Kelis (#48)
  • Fergie (#64)
  • Paulina Rubio (#77)
  • Thalia (#82)
  • Blu Cantrell (#83)
  • Dido (#84)

The MAXIM Hot 100 supplement will hit newsstands on May 15th and is available with the May issue of MAXIM featuring actress and model Josie Maran (Van Helsing) on the cover. The May issue also features the girls of Van Helsing, Elena Anaya and Silvia Colloca as well as a Q&A with NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Based on the huge success and national appeal of the Hot 100, VH1 will be airing a 1-hour special on June 13th at 10:00 P.M. This special will include interviews with many of the Hot 100 girls and other celebrities who will comment on the list.

Dennis Publishing, Inc. is a media company that publishes the two most successful modern men's lifestyle magazines in America -- MAXIM (2.5 million rate base) and Stuff (1.2 million rate base) -- along with general interest music magazine Blender (Advertising Age's Launch of the Year), MAXIM Goes To The Movies and The Week, a compilation of the week's most important domestic and international news. MAXIM, Stuff, Blender and The Week are registered trademarks of Felix Dennis.