1. Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, for not biting the hand that started feeding her. According to a spokesman for her Sony BMG record label, the “Since U Been Gone” songstress is in negotiations to allow her hits to be performed by pop hopefuls on a “case-by-case basis.”
2. Shock jock Howard Stern, for his candor. In the first of a series of on-air revelations designed to promote his new Satellite radio show, Stern, 52, admitted having surgery to remove a bump from his nose and fat-reduction procedures to shrink his double chin.
3. Wrestler-turner-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, for knowing when to make an exit. Johnson walked out on a proposed sequel to the 2004 actioner Walking Tall and was replaced by former TV Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo. The film, currently shooting in San Diego, will be released straight to DVD.
4. Supermodel Rachel Hunter, for crafting a career out of nothing. Rod Stewart’s ex is set for her third reality TV challenge as the host of a new style show, America’s Next Top Stylist, which debuts Jan. 23 on cable network WE.
5. Capote and Syriana scribes, for their book smarts. The films’ writers tied at the annual University of Southern California Scripter Award, which honors the year’s best film adaptation of a book, novella or short story.
6. German film beauty Franka Potente, for taking the helm. The Run Lola Run star will unveil her directorial debut, Digging For Beladonna, at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
7. 7th Heaven star Beverley Mitchell, for her down-to-earthness. Mitchell, 24, has become engaged to her long-term, non-Hollywood boyfriend Michael Cameron, 25. The couple has dated for five years and it will be the first marriage for both.
8. Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker, for imitating fiction. The 41-year-old actress, who plays a cannabis-selling mother in the hit Showtime comedy Weeds, is urging the U.S. Government to legalize marijuana.
9. Filmmaker Rob Reiner, for taking imitative—literally. Reiner has become a hero for California educators after sponsoring the new initiative, the Preschool for All Act, which qualified for the primary election ballot in June. The initiative funds preschools for children in the state.
10. Danish supermodel Helena Christensen, for kicking off the New Year in style. Christensen is the new face of top champagne company Moet et Chandon’s vintage Dom Perignon.
