Twenty years ago, making it into FHM’s Sexiest Women in the World was a big deal.
It put women whose names and careers were built on their glamorous image on the pages of the prestigious glossy magazine.
Every year, the No.1 lads’ mag, published its annual poll of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World.
To be included was an accolade and boosted the fame and fortune of the actresses, models and TV stars who made the grade.
Read more: Kelly Brook finally gets married – star weds hunky Italian lover in romantic ceremony
Those who have featured in the poll over the years reads like a who’s who of red hot superstars – including the likes of Holly Willoughby, Kelly Brook, Michelle Keegan, Claudia Schiffer and Louise Redknapp.
(Image: Getty Images)
Members of the public chose the winners and every year millions voted for their favourite and sexiest woman.
Sadly, FHM stopped publishing in 2016 with the last ever poll taking place in 2017.
But there are now rumours FHM will be making a comeback, meaning the annual sexiest women list could also be revived.
Who was in the top 10 in 2002 and where are they now?
1. Anna Kournikova
Tennis player Anna Kournikova was just 21 when she topped the FHM poll back in 2002.
The 5ft 8ins stunning blonde from Russia never managed to win a singles title in the tennis world, but she still became one of the sport’s best known players.
Away from the court she was making millions through sponsorship deals and media appearances, largely because of her model looks. and celebrity status.
She retired from tennis in 2003 after back problems and now lives in Miami, Florida, aged 41.
As well as playing the occasional promotional tennis match, she does TV work, including as a trainer for The Biggest Loser and also charity appearances.
She has been dating singer Enrique Iglesias for over 20 years and the couple have three children – twins aged four and a daughter aged two.
2. Rachel Stevens
Former S Club Seven singer Rachel Stevens was voted the second sexiest woman in the world in 2002 when she was just 24.
She left the group in 2003 and went on to have a successful solo career for a few years after that.
Rachel was engaged to former Hollyoaks actor Jeremy Edwards, but they split up in 2004. She then briefly dated Gavin Dein, the son of ex-Arsenal vice chairman David Dein.
Work wise, she turned to reality TV, coming fourth in Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and also took part in Dancing on Ice in 2022.
In her personal life, she married Alex Bourne in 2009 and the couple have two daughters aged 12 and eight.
But in July of 2022 Rachel, now 44, announced via Instagram that she and Alex were separating.
3. Britney Spears
(Image: Getty Images)
What an eventful 20 years it’s been for Baby One More Time and I’m a Slave 4 U hit-maker Britney Spears, who has rarely been out of the headlines.
Following highly-publicised problems with mental health and addiction, in 2008 Britney was placed under the conservatorship of her father Jamie Spears and lawyers, who took complete control of her life and all her assets.
(Image: Britney Spears / https://www.instagram.com/p/CepJ5VnPayr/)
Despite the restrictions, Britney continued to make music and perform in highly successful tours and concerts.
In 2021 Britney fought to be free of the conservatorship and is now planning a tell-all book, as well as new record deals and concerts.
She has been married twice and has two sons and this year, aged 40, married her third husband Sam Asghari.
4. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez, aka J-Lo, was already an established actress, singer and dancer when she won the FHM accolade aged 33, but afterwards her career went from strength to strength.
Alongside her singing and acting roles, she was also a judge on American Idol which also secured her lucrative deals with several companies promoting their products, as well as Las Vegas residencies.
All of her work and success earned her a place in Time’s 100 most influential people in the world list in 2018.
Now aged 53, she’s been married three times and has two children.
In July 2022 she married Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, who she was in a serious relationship several years earlier. Judging by recent pictures, the two lovebirds are thoroughly enjoying married life.
5. Kelly Brook
A huge favourite with FHM and other lads’ mag readers, Kelly Brook has constantly been in the headlines over the last 20 years.
The model, actress and media personality’s girl-next-door prettiness and curvy figure kept her as a sex symbol for many years afterwards and in 2005 she topped the FHM sexiest woman in the world poll.
As well as her modelling – including a best selling calendar – Kelly also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Juice and The Masked Dancer.
Her love life has ensured she stays in the headlines, with some of her famous boyfriends including Billy Zane, Jason Statham and rugby player Thom Evans.
These days aged 42 she is a brand ambassador for SlimFast, having publicly spoken about her battles with weight gain. She’s told how her huge 34FF boobs caused her crippling back pain when she put on weight.
She is also one of the main presenters on Heart radio.
In July 2022 she married her long-time boyfriend Jeremy Parisi in Italy.
6. Kylie Minogue
Pint-sized singer and actress Kylie Minogue shot to fame in Aussie soap Neighbours and then enjoyed a hugely successful pop career.
Her hits include I Should Be So Lucky, The Loco-Motion, Spinning Around and Better The Devil You Know.
But tragedy struck in 2005 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer whilst on a world tour, which she had to abandon while she underwent treatment.
She went on to beat cancer and now campaigns and fund-raises for various cancer charities.
Now aged 54, she continues to make albums and go on tour.
Despite having many high-profile love affairs she has never married and is currently in a relationship with British GQ creative director Paul Solomons since 2018 and is now living in her native Australia.
7. Carmen Electra
American actress, model, singer and media personality Carmen Electra shot to fame through her successful glamour modelling appearances – including frequent appearances in Playboy.
Her Playboy work secured her a role as a sexy lifeguard in cult TV show Baywatch and she also appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including the Scary Movie franchise, Meet the Spartans and Epic Movie.
Carmen went on to be a guest judges on the US So You Think You Can Dance , as well as Britain’s Got Talent.
In 2022 she joined the OnlyFans forum, saying it gave her “the opportunity to be my own boss”.
She has been married twice – including a short-lived Las Vegas wedding to NBA star Denis Rodman – and is currently single.
8. Holly Valance
When she made it into the poll’s top 10, Holly Valance was a star of Aussie soap Neighbours in which she played Flick Scully.
After her TV success, she and launched a successful pop music career, notching a hit single with the catchy Kiss Kiss.
She then went on to have further chart success with Down Boy and Naughty Girl.
By 2002, she had also worked as a model and had roles in a couple of Hollywood movies and TV series including CSI: Miami and Entourage.
Holly moved to the UK in 2009 where she continues to do TV and other work and is now aged 39.
In 2012 she married Sunday Times Rich List multi-millionaire property developer Nick Candy, a billionaire, and the couple have two daughters aged nine and five.
9. Shakira
Now aged 45, Colombian singer Shakira shot to fame in the UK with her No.1 hit single Hips Don’t Lie.
She enjoyed a stellar music career, selling more than 80 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Shakira became a sex symbol thanks to her raunchy dancing and skimpy costumes on her music videos.
She has since ventured into other businesses and industries, including acting, launching her own perfume and video games.
Last December it was announced that she would become an executive producer for NBC dance competition, Dancing with Myself.
Although she’s never married, she has had two children and two long term relationships.
The most recent was with Spanish football player Gerard Pique and the couple announced in 2022 that they were separating after 12 years together.
10. Kristin Kreuk
(Image: Channel 4)
Canadian actress Kristin Kreuk shot to fame in the TV mini series Edgemont and Smallville.
After these shows ended she went on to star in other productions, including Beauty and the Beast and The Burden of Truth.
She also got roles in movies including Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy and Space Milkshake.
However, aged just 23 she unwittingly got involved in a sex cult when she joined NXIVM, thinking it was a self-help group to conquer her shyness.
She was accused of helping the cult’s founder to recruit other young women into the group – something Kreuk firmly denied.
Now aged 39, she lives in Canada and continues with her acting work. Nothing is known about her personal life.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
