AfterEllen.com's Hot 100: Overview

The votes are tallied and the results are in: the 2010 AfterEllen.com Hot 100 is now official, public knowledge and.....

........

... Alright, I admit -- the Top 10 of the Hot 100 let me down a touch. Scrolling through the ranks left me with the after-effects of predictable voting (RE: Sighing, eye-rolling, pouting, etc). Women gracing the AfterEllen.com landing page on an almost daily basis ranked highest while those with minimal coverage placed lowest. In reference to the Top 10, it seems the sole criteria for the elusive Hottest Celeb status was a queer acting credit or two on the CV (minus Portia de Rossi since she is queer royalty as far as I am concerned).

Ah, but the masses have spoken and the women we celebrate have a gay-for-pay requirement.

Make sure to check out the full list to see where (or if) your heartthrobs made it into the rankings. Here's the rundown of the Top 10 for all interested ladies out there:

10. Katherine Moennig

The L Word alum and all-around delicious, androgynous sex symbol -- yes, Katherine Moennig keeps pulses racing through all the queer girls on the block as proven with her solid tenth-place finish. Since I am a born Canadian, I have to provide some Can. conn. (that is, "Canadian connections" for international readers). Fans can catch Moennig in one of her earliest acting credits as the main character in an Our Lady Peace video for their 1999 single, "Is Anybody Home?" Her first major role took her to the short-lived Young Americans where she played Jake Pratt, a girl passing as a boy to attend an elite summer semester at Rawley Boys' Academy. (And yes, I remember having a crush on her character then -- what a shock it was after she revealed she was a girl! It added to my proto-lesbian confusion, no doubt). But, fans know Moennig best for her cool, aloof portrayal of Shane McCutcheon on the infamous The L Word. It's what we love her for and will always revere her for.

9. Lena Headey

Lena Headey is one woman who does not take names when she kicks on-screen ass. She played a Spartan queen in Frank Miller's 300 and headlined in the violent sci fi series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. True to AfterEllen.com's affections, Headey has dedicated screen time to some Sapphic stories, most notably as Piper Perabo's love interest in Imagine Me & You (and now, I realize I must watch said film because DAMN -- that's a lot of hot crowded into one film). Recent roles include The Red Baron, a biopic detailing the career of German war pilot Manfred von Richthofen, and as Miss Dickson's in the U.K. hit film series, St. Trinian's. With some more queer cred., I imagine Headey will rank at the top of AfterEllen.com for years to come.

8. Jessica Capshaw

After Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) disappeared into the parking lot of no return in Nov. 2008, Grey's Anatomy was decidedly void of any lady-lovin' partners for the gay gal in town, Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). Enter: Jessica Capshaw as the adorable Arizona Robbins with a whole new shot at lesbian love for the popular medical drama. Capshaw can also count The L Word on her acting CV, so, she has established her fluid ability to portray the gay for all demographics. Interesting trivia: Capshaw graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in 1994 and Brown University in 1998 AND she is the step-daughter of Stephen Spielberg. Random and cool all at once, I should say.

7. Jennifer Beals

A list generated via the readers of AfterEllen.com is not complete until Jennifer Beals makes an appearance. Beals provided ladies with the power lesbian of their dreams with her portrayal of ivy-league educated Bette Porter on The L Word. Fans of retro films will remember Beals as the 18-year-old welder/exotic dancer with larger-than-life dreams from the 1983 film, Flashdance. Granted, it was before my time, but I imagine a number of queer girls must have had their awakening while watching a particular scene from said movie. It's refreshing to see a woman reach queer girls through numerous generations and through numerous Hot 100 lists. Her radiance renders us all into maniacs, a heh.

6. Kathryn Prescott

At the tender age of nineteen, Kathryn Prescott is already making a strong statement for the next generation of queer girls in the U.K. Prescott is best known for her groundbreaking role in the series Skins as Emily Fitch. During season three and four of the popular teen series, Prescott plays one half of the complex, well-rounded lesbian couple known affectionately as "Naomily" (Naomi and Emily). What is most remarkable about her role is the ease with which the couple is woven into the fabric of the show. Both girls are not hidden away until the pressures of sweeps arrive -- instead, the girls are a central part of Skins and are depicted with the same romance and the same personal struggles evident in all relationships regardless of the individuals' orientation. It's a breathtaking first major role and it will be exciting to see how the young star develops her career from here.

5. Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi takes on a greater role within the 2010 Hot 100 --- indeed, she is the one and only gay woman among the Top 10. While it comes as a shock to the system that more queer women did not represent among the absolute top of the Hotness Pyramid, make no mistake that de Rossi is a beautiful example of the gorgeousness inherent to the bona fide gay lady. Not only has she led a successful career with hits like Ally McBeal and Arrested Development, she has also advocated for queer rights and equality alongside her wife, Ellen Degeneres. She's one half of a real-life lesbian power couple -- she's as good as golden for the Hot 100.

4. Sara Ramirez

As Dr. Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy, Sara Ramirez occupies a vital position when it comes to American television at the moment. According to a 2009-2010 Lesbian/Bi Television Census Report conducted over at AfterEllen.com, Sara Ramirez carries the torch as the sole representation of a queer woman of colour on the whole of mainstream American television. Her importance as a realized, professional queer character is an important one for American audiences to relate to and connect with as it supports our community's visibility as a whole. And, as a fun piece of trivia, gamers might recall Ramirez from a little PlayStation title known as PaRappa the Rapper where she voiced Lammy. And, for me, she just earned even more awesome points there.

3. Lily Loveless

Here she is, ladies -- fans of the hit U.K. drama, Skins, will know Lily Loveless best as Naomi Campbell, the other half of the adorable lesbian couple "Naomily." At eighteen-years-old, she's helping to push back against a heteronormative British culture and demonstrate the unique challenges and the equal love expressed between two young women. Though her character debuted on the series as a sexually-confused, political activist, fans continue to love her dedication to the role and her complex portrayal of an awakened lesbian teen. Again, she's another one with a fresh career and a whole lot of potential on the horizon ahead.

2. Kristen Stewart

Unnngh, I know, I know -- it's K. Stew. I can hear the laments from all the straight allies now. "Miz Moffatt, HOW?! How did the lesbians fail us?! I thought you were rippin' mad that Maxim voted Katy Perry as the Hottest Woman of 2010?! How will you explain Kristen Stewart?!" Each Twi-hating bone in my body snapped under the weight of this vote. But, I understand where the surge of interest in Stewart comes from, at least in reference to AfterEllen. Not only is there mass, public speculation on the starlette's orientation, she also starred as Joan Jett in a recent flick about The Runaways titled Cherry Bomb. That is correct, dear readers -- K. Stew took the helm as one of the hottest queer rockstars of our time. So.... yeah. It comes as no shock.

1. Olivia Wilde

So, it appears there's more than one Megan Fox out there who would strangle a mountain ox to get some time with Olivia Wilde. I admit, seeing Wilde in the top spot of the 2010 Hot 100 seemed a tad.... left field. I mean, I'm not made of stone, I recognize she is hot as all heck and she's garnered numerous fanatics for her role as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on the TV drama, House. And, her beloved character is bisexual to boot. But..... hmm. Hmm. I'll have to see how she is in the upcoming Tron flick and then we can talk.

***

So, the ladies I voted for did not place as high as I'd hoped. Natalie Portman landed at No. 31, Zoe Saldana finished at No. 38, Rachel Weisz glided into the list at No. 73, and Alicia Keys capped the numbers at No. 96. The other six ladies were scorned, I tell you. Spurned, even. Egads.

I didn't think my taste in women differed so drastically from AfterEllen's Hot 100. I must be losing touch with the young'uns in my old age, now.

And now, dear readers, might I ask -- were you satisfied with the 2010 finalists? How did your heartthrobs compare to the competition? Which ladies are missing from these 100 lucky lasses?

Such a Tease...

I've got lists on the brain these days, ladies.

With Maxim's Hot 100 debacle, I am yearning for AfterEllen's Hot 100 with greater vigour than ever. On Monday, May 7th, all those weeks of pacing the floors and sweating through the night from excitement will transform into endless pages of stunning women as voted by queer girls across the Internet.

SO. ARDENT. IN. THIS. EXCITEMENT.

See? I even have to shatter sentences and piss on grammar just to convey how inundated I am with awesome vibes.

AfterEllen.com made sure to stoke those wild fantasies of ours this week through a slow, delightful tease. Indeed, our fearless writers have revealed the identities of SIX women honoured with a spot on the 2010 Hot 100. It's all hush-hush as to what rank these ladies have attained but, heck, I am pleased with the results already.

I think it's time to review our roster thus far:

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez is the perfect blend of brass and beauty, offering a distinct feminine charm overlaid with a kick-some-ass attitude. Rodriguez caught the eyes of queer women and critics everywhere with her major film debut in 2000 with Girlfight. Since then, Rodriguez has gravitated toward a tough girl image with roles in The Fast and The Furious (2001), Resident Evil (2002), S.W.A.T. (2003), and more recently in the mega-blockbuster, Avatar (2009). In her hectic schedule, she's even found time to star on television juggernaut, Lost, as Ana Lucia Cortez. In recent time, she is now catering to the sci fi nerds out there with her latest project, Battle: Los Angeles in which she portrays a Marine locked in real-time battle to defeat an alien invasion. Sign me up, kids.

Lea Michele

She helped bring Journey back into the spotlight without a hint of irony to the music. Impressive. Lea Michele is lighting up the small screen on a regular basis with her upbeat, too cute self on Fox's Glee. While she's become a household name for such a short stretch, Michele's career has spanned the greater part of her young life. At the age of eight, Michele was already starring in Broadway productions ranging from Les Miserables and Ragtime to Fiddler on the Roof and Spring Awakening. No wonder her pipes have made such a lasting impression on television audiences, too. What can I say? She fills our hearts with.... wait for it...... with Glee. And yes, I went there.

Crystal Chappell

Soap fans, rejoice -- Crystal Chappell has returned to the Hot 100 for the third year in a row. Her portrayal as Olivia Spencer on Guiding Light (aka. one-half of the infamous "Otalia" couple) was recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy award. Gorgeous, able to command melodrama and soft camera lenses with ease, and heartfelt with her depiction of a lesbian relationship on the rather traditional platform of the daily soap -- no wonder she's been counted among the elite over at AfterEllen.com. P.S. -- I just found out she also appeared on Walker, Texas Ranger. I wonder if she learned how to roundhouse kick people. Too cool.

Archie Panjabi

She's the first of the British-born lasses to grace the 2010 Hot 100 list and I am glad to see the international ladies representing with such a fierce femme. Archie Panjabi has spent her career cultivating an impressive number of television credits ranging from the ever-popular BBC hits East of Eden and Life on Mars. Her breakthrough role in the 2002 flick, Bend It Like Beckham, launched Panjabi into a new stratosphere of success across the pond in Hollywood. In 2005, Panjabi landed a role in a little movie readers might have heard of -- does The Constant Gardener sound familiar? She followed with international acclaim for her role in A Mighty Heart (2007) starring alongside Angelina Jolie. Adding a place on the Hot 100 rounds out her CV, don't you think?

Paula Patton

Such a sweetheart she is. Paula Patton has quite the credits to her name. Her career started behind the scenes via the documentaries she created for PBS and her work as a producer for Discovery Health Channel's Medical Diaries. Thankfully, for all us readers out there, Patton made the switch to the spotlight and she's gained momentum ever since. Her first acting role came in 2005 when she starred with Will Smith and Eva Mendes in Hitch. She followed with a role in OutKast's Idlewild (2006) and another role in Déjà Vu (2006) alongside Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer. Current fans will recognize Patton from her stunning role as Ms. Rain in the critically-acclaimed film, Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. She's got bright stars in her future, literally and figuratively.

Jane Lynch

Of course, we can't ignore one of the First Ladies of classic, queer entertainment and comedic brilliance. Jane Lynch is just about everywhere these days. Name a television show and she's made a guest appearance on it. Care for a sample? Check it out: Judging Amy, The West Wing, 7th Heaven, Friends, Felicity, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, Weeds, The L Word, Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, and on and on and on. For now, she's settled for a wicked, hilarious stint as Sue Sylvester on the powerhouse, Glee. No matter how often we see Lynch in the media, it just never seems to be enough. And hence, she must be added to AfterEllen.com's Hot 100.

***

Oh, the thirst to find out more can never be slaked. How on Earth can I will myself through this weekend with a list of this magnitude hovering so close?

I never imagined this much excitement could stem from another Monday morning.

So, readers, do you approve of the voting so far? Who are you hoping to see on the Hot 100?

Maxim's Hot 100 and a Disappointed Moffatt

Oh, Maxim. I heard you made a list, Maxim. I heard you called it "the definitive list of the world's most beautiful women."

Really? Really, Maxim? Do you have the credentials to assert this claim? Might I ask what grounds you base this argument on? I glanced at that list and.... hmm.

I question your authority on the subject.

Readers, take a gander at the Top 10 here at Cute, Queer, Canadian and feel free to scan through the remaining 90 ladies over at Maxim's official headquarters.

Check it:

10. Marisa Miller

Ms. Miller is best known for her intensive portfolio with Sports Illustrated. She's a swimsuit model topping a list of.... well, mostly swimsuit and lingerie models. But, she topped 'em all in Maxim's Hot 100 back in 2008 so, heck, the woman's got mass appeal.

9. Kim Kardashian

..... I'm sorry, what? Kim Kardashian is deemed hotter than Anna Paquin, Zooey Deschanel, Gabrielle Union, Eliza Dushku, AND Scarlett Johansson according to this list? Oh, I am seeing major flaws here....

8. Olivia Munn

Alright, well, I found photos of Ms. Munn cosplaying as the gold-bikinied Princess Leia in Star Wars, Street Fighter's Chun Li, and as Wonder Woman, so.... I am a touch more receptive. She's a self-professed nerd and cites Punky Brewster as her childhood idol. Hmm... I might have to look into her acting credits a bit further....

7. Elisabetta Canalis

Maxim credits Ms. Canalis as "Italy's IT Girl," but the first accolade given is her current status as George Clooney's red carpet eye candy. She started her career as a showgirl on a late night, "whacked-out TV show" called Striscia la Notizia and then progressed to MTV Italy's TRL segment.

6. Rihanna

More than one queer gal fell all over themselves after A) Rihanna got a trail of stars tattooed on her neck, B) Rihanna cropped her hair into a cute pixie cut, and C) Rihanna made it sound like she's got some Sapphic undertones to her. We have yet to see proof of her lady lovin' side, but I'll still hold out hope.

5. Megan Fox

She caught attention for her ardent desire to kiss Olivia Wilde, a fierce emotion inspiring Ms. Fox to "strangle a mountain ox" to demonstrate her affections. Since that time, though, Ms. Fox has uttered some alarming comments in relation to her supposed bisexuality (among other topics). One of her gems comes from an interview with Esquire in June 2009: "I have no question in my mind about being bisexual. But I’m also a hypocrite: I would never date a girl who is bisexual, because that means they also sleep with men, and men are so dirty that I’d never sleep with a girl who had slept with a man." Uh huh. Sure, Megan.

4. Blake Lively

She's played the girl-next-door in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (I and II) and she's dominated the small screen as an infamous Gossip Girl. Be on the lookout in 2011 when Ms. Lively appears in The Green Latern flick. Impressive CV for such a young starlette.

3. Zoe Saldana

YES. MAXIM, YES. At last, at last -- a woman I can support. In fact, I voted for her over at AfterEllen.com's Hot 100 (results to be posted on May 17th). She's played gay, she's a well-versed sci fi nerd, she's unpretentious, AND she's gorgeous. How can so much awesome be wrapped up in one woman?

2. Brooklyn Decker

So, here she is -- the top swimsuit model of Maxim's Hot 100. When I said there were tons of models on this list, I was not exaggerating. I still think that, given the women on this list, Zoe Saldana should have been the supreme champion of the list.

So, who's the at the top of this bikini-clad, thick-haired mass of women?

Wait for it...

Wait for it....

1. Katy Perry

And I have lost faith entirely.

***

I understand why AfterEllen.com decided to start their own Hot 100. After flicking through list after list of swimsuit models and lingerie ladies all posed the same with the same teased hair and narrow waists, you want to see someone different. You want to hear about a woman's achievements, personal causes, and goals coupled with her natural radiance.

I know there are tons of straight boys out there who value the same traits and qualities us gay gals do. So, why do their lists cater to one cut-out of a woman? Gents, I think you need to stage an uprising against the status quo offered by these magazines. I mean, don't get me wrong -- swimsuits and lingerie are delightful to look at, but women are even hotter after they show you their quirks.

I await AfterEllen.com's Hot 100 with greater energies than before....

10 Votes, 100 Hotties

Break out the ballots and storm the voting booth, ladies. It is time to nominate all those earth-shattering, knee-weakening women for the illustrious title of Hottest Woman According to the Lady-Lovin' Ladies.

It is time for the 2010 AfterEllen.com's Hot 100. Breathe it in -- that is the promise of endless attractiveness matched with talent, elegance, and a whole lot of social consciousness.

The infamous Hot 100 launched in 2007 as a response to the popular and peculiar lists generated via men's magazines such as Maxim. While I tend to pour over a list or two of this nature, one targeted to a straight male audience, I can't help but notice the uniform aesthetic of the women therein. Accomplishments are downplayed or erased while a woman's.... um, assets tend to take the centrefold.

In AfterEllen.com's Hot 100, queer women are given the space to "express what, or who, we find attractive," a perspective often rendered invisible through major media outlets -- and, truthfully, comparing the lists is quite a refreshing experience.

Click on over here to nominate ten delightful, radiant, and gorgeous women for the 2010 Hot 100 list. Polls close on May 7th, 2010 and the results will be posted on May 17th, 2010 (I will consider it a belated birthday present, as I am born on May 16th).

Here's a brief teaser for ladies new to the vote -- check out the top ten ladies from the 2009 Hot 100 List:

1. Portia de Rossi

2. Jennifer Beals

3. Lena Headey

4. Leisha Hailey

5. Sarah Shahi

6. Rachel Maddow

7. Tina Fey

8. Sara Ramirez

9. Angelina Jolie

10. Gro Hammerseng

Mmm -- stunning. One note, though: I'm hoping the 2010 list will not be dominated by ex-cast members of The L Word. It's a little overdone, I do believe. There are other ladies out there who deserve top ten spots and it's about time the list gives them a chance to shine, too. (Plus, um... The L Word is kind of off the air, so.... yeah.)

***

And hey, since we're all on the topic of voting and such, why not wander over to The Best Travel Job Ever and give another ten votes to The Advocate? I mean, with all that voting on the brain now, I'm certain readers could give a vote for the dear Advocate and her future adventures abroad.

I mean, I'm sure the ladies of the Hot 100 would be impressed with your selflessness when it came to supporting a friend of mine, right? Hmm? Don't want to disappoint them, now. *Cheeky grin*