FHM Readers Name Scarlett Johansson World's Sexiest Woman; Actress Tops Voting in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006 Readers' Poll.

NEW YORK -- "One of the best things for a woman to hear is that she is sexy. I'd like to thank FHM's readers for the huge compliment," says Scarlett Johansson, voted number one in FHM magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006 readers' poll.

In only her second year on the FHM U.S. list of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World, Johansson ranks number one. Last year, Johansson cracked the top ten at number nine, but this year she catapulted to the top spot, joining in the company of Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, and Jennifer Lopez, all previous winners of FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World readers' poll.

Last year's number one vote-getter, Angelina Jolie, falls to number two this year. Rounding out the top ten are (3) Jessica Alba; (4) Jessica Simpson, a former FHM cover girl; (5) Keira Knightley; (6) Halle Berry, a perennial top ten winner and two time FHM cover girl, she was the #1 Sexiest Woman in the World in 2003; (7) Jenny McCarthy, who jumped 48 spots on the list this year; (8) Maria Sharapova, the top ranking athlete on the 2006 poll; (9) Carmen Electra, two time FHM cover girl; and (10) Teri Hatcher, who graced the cover of FHM's most talked about issue last year.

"It's remarkable how quickly Scarlett Johansson has caught the attention of our readers," said Scott Gramling, FHM U.S. editor in chief. "Her sultry voice and striking beauty certainly have a lot to do with that, but so does the confidence she exudes. She seems to be one of those women who would be equally at ease on the red carpet as she would just hanging out with the guys."

Eighteen of the women on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006 list appear for the first time. Of the 72 women who appear on both this and last year's lists, 33 have advanced from their 2005 rankings while 39 have declined. And thanks to Garner, Lopez, Love Hewitt and Aniston, Jennifer is the list's most common first name (and if you count Jenny McCarthy, the tally rises to five).

FHM U.S. 100 Sexiest Women 2006 (2005 ranking in brackets):

1.  Scarlett Johansson (9)
2.  Angelina Jolie (1)
3.  Jessica Alba (22)
4.  Jessica Simpson (16)
5.  Keira Knightley (11)
6.  Halle Berry (5)
7.  Jenny McCarthy (54)
8.  Maria Sharapova (19)
9.  Carmen Electra (18)
10. Teri Hatcher (7)

The U.S. version of FHM is just one of 30 separate editions of the magazine published around the world. FHM's other 29 international editions are continuing to conduct their polls of the sexiest women in their respective countries. An international global winner - the top vote-getter worldwide -- will be announced at a later date.

FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World special bonus supplement is published in association with the magazine's May issue featuring cover girl Erica Durance of the WB's Smallville. FHM's May 2006 issue goes on sale April 4. The 100 Sexiest Women in the World bonus supplement is polybagged with the issue at newsstands nationwide.