Katy Perry tops hottest woman list

Pop star Katy Perry has topped the annual Maxim Hot 100 list of the world's hottest women, beating the likes of actress Megan Fox and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker - who is engaged to Russell Brand, narrowly beat Victoria's Secret model Brooklyn Decker and Avatar actress Zoe Saldana into second and third place respectively on the list, reported Contactmusic.

"She's the best friend you suddenly realise you've loved your whole life. The chick who taught you to skateboard and whistle and also looks unbelievable in a bikini," the US men's magazine said of Perry, explaining her top ranking.

Making up the rest of the top five were Gossip Girl star Blake Lively and Transformers beauty Fox, while Kardashian, Russian Roulette singer Rihanna, George Clooney's girlfriend Elizabetta Canalis, actress Olivia Munn, and model Marisa Miller made up the rest of the top 10.

Last year's Maxim Hot 100 number one Olivia Wilde scraped in at number 20, while notable absentees from the list include pop stars Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga.