Pop culture phenomenon Jessica Simpson (“Newlyweds”) heads up the MAXIM Magazine 5th annual Hot 100 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).

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."

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.