Nate’s 9: Best
Looking Celebrities
For reasons
that I believe many will understand, this is always one of my favorite blogs to
write. It’s evolved quite a bit over the years; from being a basic 20, to that
audacious Hot 101, and into its current feature, as a Nate’s 9. I think most
people are repeat readers now, which is fantastic and thank you very much, but
I will share the terms with those that haven’t become familiar with this blog
before we get started.
Very
simple. 3 rules. 1st rule: Look good. 2nd rule: Be
Relevant. 3rd rule. 18-40. (Although a Mr. Moore continues to defy
the odds of good looks, so I break the rules periodically for him.) If you fit
into 2 of the 3 categories, you still miss out (Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan,
etc). The blog is split into 3 parts: what I believe to be America ’s
favorite 9 (those already picked not included), my favorite 9, and something
small and meaningless for the ladies (them boys).
Lots of
hard work and extensive research go into this product, and needless to say, I
can’t do it alone. I would like to thank those people that work behind the
scenes, offering suggestions, checking for clerical errors (like age), and
overall adding to the enthusiasm of the project. Your help is not lost on me.
Finally, a
shout out to the missus. While I do take this work very seriously, and leave no
stone left unturned, at the end of the day, there’s no one else I’d rather
spend my life with, and your support and love is something that I cherish on a
daily basis. Thank you, wife!
So without
further ado, let’s get introduced to some of the most beautiful people in the
world!
2016’s Choices:
Honorable Mentions: Jessica Alba, Mila Kunis and Emma
Roberts. Two ladies that lasted a decade in consideration (and a former America
winner in Alba), and an up and coming star. Just lost a little bit of
relevancy, but a talented trio in any case.
#9 – Pia Wurtzbach. I don’t usually pick a Miss Universe to
make this list, only because I think it’s unfair. They’ve been groomed for
these types of roles for years, and it’s not hard for them to qualify for the 3
rules, when it’s all they’ve ever known. I will make an exception for this
woman; she is funny, beautiful, intelligent and well-spoken. She’ll be the girl
that moves directly into Forbes’ magazine’s most influential women as soon as
her Miss Universe reign is complete.
#8 – Kate Mara. She’s not really for me, but she’s really
taken her game to another level. The Esquire photo shoot left people wanting
for more, and her appearances in The Martian and Fantastic Four put her in the
front of the news pages. Another 12 months as good as these and she could be at
the top of her own House of Cards.
#7 – Emilia Clarke. Khalessi. That should be enough.
#6 – Beyonce. Kind of getting close to the end of her
powers, but it’s been a great run. Relevance since the early 2000’s. Top of my
list back in 2002 (when it wasn’t really a list, but only a conversation among
friends), and she’s done a great job considering her relationship and becoming
a mother. A true dynastic power in the world of beauty.
#5 - Alexandra Daddario. Probably should’ve made the Nate’s
9, but America
loves her more. Really had quite the year, for someone that could be considered
a rookie to this list. Percy Jackson films raised her to the higher levels, but
San Andreas and the potential of Baywatch could have her gunning for the top. A
classic beauty.
#4 - Emily Ratajkowski. I think this is low for her, but 
#3 - Margot Robbie. Simply stunning. At times I believe she
should be on my list, but I don’t want to take her away from
#2 – Hannah Davis. Derek Jeter is just winning at life. I
think she’s the most talented player on this list, as she can come away with
beauty from multiple disciplines. Sports Illustrated has already proven the
swimsuit genre, Victoria Secret and American Eagle from the world of modeling.
If she gets into film, America
might have a bone to pick with the Yankees #2.
#1 – Taylor
Swift. This is hard for me, because I want to keep knocking her down. She’s
just a country star. Then she diversifies into pop music. She’s too skinny.
Gains hips like 12 months later. Just a cute little blonde, with cute little
lyrics. Evolves to pull off multiple looks, hairstyles while also writing music
that came straight from the diary. (It’s hard to share the most intimate
details of one’s life, and she does it without fear and shame). I finally think
I have it when I criticized her for being “made from the cultural machine”, and
then Kanye does a Kanye thing, and makes her look even more impressive. My
apology is in this ranking.
Nate’s 9
Honorable Mentions: Fun story these. Jasmine Sanders and
Lauren Hanley were relative unknowns when I started the process for this year’s
list, and then Chris Brown and Johnny Manziel happened. Sanders is the girl
Brown snagged for awhile after Rihanna got knocked around, and Hanley is the
girl who could keep up with Johnny’s partying (although maybe not anymore).
Treats, the both of them.
#9 – Zendaya Coleman. I still remember watching DWTS for the
first time, when my eye was turned. She was gorgeous. She could dance. She was
confident. Alas, she was also only 17 (A few co-workers enjoyed mentioning
that, when I told them about this new beauty). I resigned her to the minor
leagues, but always assuming it would just be a matter of time (and success)
before she got reconsidered. Here we are, my Rookie of the Year. I run into her
from time to time on the Disney channel when my boys are flipping through, and
I’m very familiar with the song that she put together with Chris Brown (Please
tell me how this guy continues to do it!) that got Zendaya into the mainstream.
Lots of time left for Ms. Coleman to chase the top of this list.
#8 – Victoria Justice. I just want to give a small shout-out
to Disney and Nickelodeon for generating about 30% of the options during the
preliminary rounds of this list. They sure do know what sells, and they
understand that it starts earlier than it probably should. I think the reason
that these ladies (Justice included) do so well in the eyes of the public is
that while they might not be as pretty as the SI Models or Victoria Secret
Angels that usually adorn this list, they have a sense of everyday about them
that we all can relate to. I don’t think Justice ever gets to the level of wearing
an “Angel’s wings”, but she’s certainly as beautiful and successful as those
that do.
#7 – Erin Heatherton. Speaking of angels... There are
probably more beautiful ones. There are probably a few that resonate with the
public a little better. There are those that are well-spoken, and do public
events, and get their own underwear named after them. But give me Heatherton
over them any day. She listens to rap music, appears in great television
programming such as “The League”, and is experienced in all genres of modeling.
I also want to mention the Jewish heritage, but I think this is a place where I
don’t make any jokes. Let’s just leave it at my favorite angel.
#6 – Emma Watson. Always hanging around. She’s like the St.
Louis Cardinals of hot celebrities. You’re not sure how they continue to do well;
you’re not sure why everyone likes them as their second favorite team. They
don’t do anything flashy, they’re not over-the-top exciting, and they’re not
major news players. But imagining a playoffs (or in this case: 9) without them
is unfathomable, and you just couldn’t stand it otherwise. You’re just
comforted in knowing that they’re always going to be there.
#5 – Keira Knightley. The lowest I’ve had her since the
inaugural list back in 2003. No fault to Keira, she’s a mom now. I’m also a
dad, so I can relate (Usually, I had these beauties done by the end of May). If
you’re truly and deeply committed to raising your children, then you just don’t
have the time you did in the life before them. She cranked out movies like
Santa’s little workshop cranks out gifts, and she rocked some Chanel
advertising and just really put herself out there. She said she desired a more
private lifestyle since her family began, and it’s what she’s done. Another
delightful little trait among many and that’s why she’ll always be relevant to
my expectations.
#4 – Scarlett Johansson. From the very first time I saw Lost
in Translation, I knew there was something special here. Even beyond the curves
that we’re all familiar with, I believe that stardom was always something that
Scar Jo was destined for. Even in years of relative obscurity, she’s still
mentioned by many as one of the best looking girls around. Time has done
nothing to harm her beauty, and we all might agree it’s even made her more so. 
#3 – Ariana Grande. I had a feeling that once I realized the
talents of Ari, she was destined to reach the top of this list. She’s got the voice
of a Whitney, the musical motivation that Michael Jackson was blessed with, and
the beauty of a Jennifer Lopez. She’s hilarious on social media, doesn’t take
herself too seriously, and knows what the pulse is on what America
(maybe even the world) needs. Her appearance on SNL last season was my favorite
of the year; Chloe will never be beat. There’s a really talented generation of
people coming through, so the top spot will be daunting, but if she can do
Christina Aguilera singing “The Wheels on the Bus”, she can play with the big
girls.
#2 – Kate Upton. Breaks my heart, really. It’s kind of like
going 73-9, crushing enemies out of the way like Knightley and Johansson, and
then holding onto the top spot just long enough for a former Nate’s 9 rival to
take it away. Wait, that’s been done before? She’s still the Steph Curry in the
world of modeling for me, and I see no reason why things can’t be restored next
year, but this year, the new #1 had a campaign for the ages. Hottest #2 ever,
though.
#1 – Selena Gomez. I won’t be so bold as to say I saw this
day coming from the TV Studio of Barney and Friends, but Selena has always been
a threat, and this year it’s well deserved. The album was top notch, her life
choices were smart and rewarding (essentially no Beebs), and that transition
from youth to adult star was as seamless as any that I’ve ever seen. No one
mentions the Disney anymore, but she’s kept it cleaner than her rivals, and
it’s that class that I believe catapults her into my top spot for the first time
and likely long reign in this position.
Ladies Dreams:
#9 – Mats Hummels. My favorite Dortmund
player leaves for Bayern again. Munich
just got a little prettier this time around.
#8 – Chris Pine. I always use to think it was Tom Hardy
between these rivals. Guess I was wrong.
#7 – Enrique Iglesias. It’s ridiculous. Has anyone ever aged
better?
#6 – Shemar Moore. He’s never not made it.
#5 – Dave Franco. Rookie of the Year. I think he breaks out
in Hollywood too.
#4 – Zac Efron. The other half. It’s too bad Adam Devine
isn’t good looking and it could be a friendly trio for you all.
#3 – Chris Hemsworth. Those arms are good enough to make
this list every year.
#2 – Cristiano Ronaldo. While my #1 fell out of the list
completely, this guy just keeps on chucking off shirts and staying relevant.
Can’t be mad at him.
#1 – Liam Hemsworth. Correcting another wrong. Took him off
the list last year, but this kid has some chops. I think I was mad about Miley,
but now it’s nothing but respect.
No comments:
Post a Comment