DALLAS, Apr 10, 2004/ FW/ --- The highly anticipated Maxim Hot 100 was unveiled yesterday and Jessica Simpson of the “Newlyweds” was named Hottest Woman.

Now on its 5th year, the list comes every spring, and considered as a barometer of Hollywood cool. And, who are the coolest of the cool for 2004, based on their performances during the past year?

Top spot went to Jessica Simpson, as already said. 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 Oscarâ winner and star of Catwoman, Halle Berry (#10).

"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."

Editors at Maxim, the the #1 best-selling men’s general interest magazine in the U.S. and the world, are given the daunting task of selecting which of these women will keep people talking throughout the year.

They choose 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.

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:

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.