Maxim magazine has unveiled their 5th annual Hot 100 list.

SURVEY Of Maxim's top 10, who do you think is the hottest? Jessica Simpson Beyonce Knowles Christina Aguilera Anna Kournikova Jennifer Lopez Mischa Barton Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Paris Hilton Jessica Alba Halle Berry Results  |  Disclaimer

"Newlyweds" star Jessica Simpson heads up the list with the No. 1 spot. Rounding out the top 10: Destiny's Child Diva Beyonce Knowles (No. 2), pop-sensation Christina Aguilera (No. 3), tennis sensation Anna Kournikova (No. 4), pop icon Jennifer Lopez (No. 5), "The O.C's" Mischa Barton (No. 6), Godsend and The Punisher's Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (No. 7), "The Simple Life's" Paris Hilton (No. 8), Honey's Jessica Alba (No. 9) and Oscar winner and star of Catwoman, Halle Berry (No. 10).

Each year, Maxim chooses 100 of who they consider the most successful women of the year in film, television, music, sports and fashion. Maxim says all of the women on the list have one thing in common: that their careers promise even greater things to come.

Editors are given the task of selecting which of these women will keep people talking throughout the year.

"We single out beautiful women whose careers are on fire," said 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," said of her No. 1 status, "It's such an honor to be chosen as No. 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 11), a comedy pilot for ABC and the launch of her edible fragrance line "Dessert."

Maxim's Hot 100 Full List: Click Here

Simpson joins past No. 1 picks, Christina Aguilera (2003), Jennifer Garner (2002), Jessica Alba (2001) and Estella Warren (2000). Last year, Maxim first brought such stars to our attention as Maggie Gyllenhaal, who the magazine placed on the list at No. 55 (now No. 25) when she was only known for starring in the indie film Secretary, and Eve at No. 71 (now No. 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:

Kelis (No. 48)
Fergie (No. 64)
Paulina Rubio (No. 77)
Thalia (No. 82)
Blu Cantrell (No. 83)
Dido (No. 84)

The Maxim Hot 100 supplement will hit newsstands May 15 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 question and answer with NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr.

VH1 will be airing a 1-hour special on June 13 at 10:00 p.m. The special will include interviews with many of the Hot 100 girls and other celebrities who will comment on the list.