Flawless.
Seriously, can you find an imperfection on Halle Berry? We can’t, and we’ve looked at her from just about every angle we can. That’s why People magazine has put her in its 50 Most Beautiful People issue five times and counting (only Julia Roberts has been featured more). That’s why Playboy ranked her among the 100 sexiest women of the 20th century. That’s why cosmetics conglomerate Revlon signed her pristine visage for its advertising campaign.
And that’s why you picked her as Hollywood’s fourth sexiest female star in our poll.
But Halle’s splendor goes further than skin deep–she’s got charm and brains. Growing up, she was a prom queen, a cheerleader, class president, editor of the school paper and an honor society member. Today, as a 2000 Golden Globe winner, 2002 Globe nominee and likely 2002 Oscar contender, the girl’s even got talent coming out of those perfect ears.
(OK, if you MUST find a flaw, in her early career modeling agencies deemed her too short at 5’7″, even after she won several beauty pageants and was a Miss USA runner-up)
The daughter of an African-American father and Caucasian mother, Halle’s exquisite beauty transcends racial boundaries, straddling the line between “exotic” and “girl next door.” Better yet, she accentuates those good genes with an almost unerring sense of style. She looks just as amazing (and at home) in hip sequined halters, curve-hugging jeans and tiny tees as she does in elegant Valentino gowns and Harry Winston jewels.
Halle was paid an extra $500,000 for her much-ballyhooed, first-ever topless scene in Swordfish (that’s $250,000 per perfect breast), but Jay Leno got a free sneak peek once when she guested on The Tonight Show. Thanks to her plunging neckline, the actress revealed a little more to the host than she intended. “My problem is, I’ve never sat down in this dress,” said a blushing Berry as she modestly adjusted her accoutrements.
“My problem is…I can’t stand up,” replied Leno. We agree, Jay. Halle deserves an ovation, but we may have to remain seated.
How She Did in Our Poll Last Year:
Halle was edged out by a nose (or lips, in this case) of the #5 spot by Angelina Jolie, whose sexy stock also rose this year. What were you guys thinking? Then again, you hadn’t seen Swordfish yet.
Sexiest Role:
While you might see more of Halle in other films, this modern-day glamour girl flaunted her talents first and foremost in her 1999 HBO flick Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Only a select few actresses today can pull off the sexy retro-diva look, and Halle looks even more elegant than many of the original leading ladies of Old Hollywood in those skintight, sheer, scoop-necked gowns.
Sexiest Scene:
Easily her most talked-about scene was that all-too-brief topless sequence in Swordfish where Halle bare-ied the competition–however, while the view was lovely, it lacked a certain erotic spark. Instead we refer you to one of the most blistering sex scenes in recent cinematic history, her raw living room floor romp with Billy Bob Thornton in Monster’s Ball. Even with the pathos and tragedy underneath, this down-and-dirty encounter was Halle’s hottest hook-up to date.
Best Quote:
When told about a poll in which audiences said the best thing about Swordfish was seeing her breasts, and then asked what that said about the rest of the film, Halle told Movieline “That says my boobs are pretty f***ing incredible!”
Physical Feature We Love:
It may be hard to make a case for anything beyond that bodacious bod, but follow us here: One look at the combination of those dark, inviting eyes, that dazzling smile, the creamy cocoa complexion, and we’re done. The whole of Halle’s heavenly face is even greater than the sum of its parts.
In Her Future:
Not just a pretty face, Berry’s firmly established her acting cred–but before she gets back to some intense on-screen emoting, this girl’s about to have some fun. She’s reprising her role as the exotic, weather-controlling mutant Storm in the upcoming sequel to X-Men. She’s also about to take her place in the pantheon of some of film’s sexiest sirens as the latest Bond Girl to vex 007 (Pierce Brosnan) in Bond 20. Her character’s name is Jinx, but we’re sure her sizzling presence will be the film’s lucky charm.
