For this year’s Hot 100 portfolio, we chose to reevaluate our criteria for the dawn of a new era. While the list has previously consisted almost entirely of models, the balance of pulchritudinal power has shifted. While physical beauty is still an important part of the equation, our attraction algorithm takes many more factors into account.
From athletes to entrepreneurs, entertainers and influencers, these women represent the leading lights in their chosen endeavors, setting an example for us all. Change is a good thing, we think you’ll agree.
Hollywood Heartbreakers
In Godzilla vs. Kong, the monsters brought the house down, but Eiza González brought the smolder as bad girl Maia Simmons. And when Baby Driver producers needed a beauty to sit on Jon Hamm’s lap, González provided the sizzle. Look for more of the same in Michael Bay’s 2022 actioner Ambulance.
Sultry Songbirds
She needs no introduction—Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, J.Lo is 51 years old and still too hot for you. And apparently too hot for A-Rod, too, whom she split with earlier this year. But with a bootie once (falsely) rumored to be insured for $27 million, you can bet she’ll always have her pick of partners.
Instagram Sirens
The Colombian bombshell is absolutely killing it on social media, posting smoldering photos from around the world for her 487K IG followers. She’s a fashion design student who has a passion for travel, and one thing is for certain: we hope to see a lot more of the sun-kissed stunner in the future.
Maxim Cover Squad
The South Carolina native and Maxim cover star (May/June 2021) is the epitome of a southern belle. Sweet, lovely, and wholesome, she’s a rare gem who also happens to be a former nurse who briefly pulled her scrubs out of retirement to fight COVID-19 on the frontlines on a three-week assignment when the pandemic hit.
Model Citizens
Thanks to her gorgeous doll-like features, the Norwegian knockout swiftly worked her way up the modeling hierarchy all the way to the glittering Victoria’s Secret runway after being discovered in a shopping mall—so it might come as a surprise that modeling wasn’t even in the cards for this blonde beauty. She originally wanted to join the military or become a veterinarian.
Fashion Icons
The 32-year-old South African supermodel and former Maxim Hot 100 winner has accomplished more in her career than most models her age, but she isn’t done putting in the work just yet. She’s now the founder and owner of her own massively successful swimwear line Tropic of C, as well as the mother of two young sons—and more gorgeous than ever.
Fit & Fabulous
This mother of two and former model is a healthy-living wizard—she’s created her own workout method, is certified in yoga and Pilates, and is a big believer in the benefits of a plant-based diet. She completed her health coaching certification at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and went on to develop The MWH Method of precise, low impact movements, which turned out to be a big hit with her 816,000 IG followers.
Multihyphenates
Is a multiple Maxim cover girl and Hot 100 winner. The exquisitely beautiful 40-year old actress-turned-business-mogul has plenty to celebrate, considering she’s worth a not-so-small fortune. Her clean-lifestyle consumer goods brand The Honest Company made its Nasdaq debut as a public company in early May, and was valued at a whopping $1.92 billion at the time.
