The 25 Hottest Girls of 2010

Let it be known: we at Complex are scholars of Women's Studies. However, not in the academic sense. From who's getting arrested (Captain Obvious says Lindsay Lohan) to who's dropping a new single (when has Nicki Minaj paused all year?) to who's posing nude on the cover of W (hint: rhymes with Sim Sarsmashian), we've been up-to-date with the current events in the female celebrity spectrum this year.

As we wrap up 2010, we're looking back on the most notable moments of contemporary women's history. A few veterans come back for another successful year, while some newcomers are poised to edge them out for next year's top honor. As we countdown from 25, we can guarantee some of your New Year's resolutions will be greatly influenced by these sexy women who will become your muse for 2011. But we didn't really need to explain all that did we? Enough said; just go ahead re-familiarize yourself with the lovely ladies who made your 2010.

Why we loved her in 2010: From starring in Easy A, the most hilarious teen comedy since Mean Girls to hosting one of the few bearable SNL episodes this year, Emma Stone has taken the place in America's heart that LiLo once occupied. While the media parallels this redhead's career to her fellow ginger (even moreso as she dyed her hair blonde to play Gwen Stacy in Spiderman), we're confident she won't be crashing her Mercedes into a tree anytime soon.

Why we loved her in 2010: Love her or hate her, Kat Stacks was probably more relevant than your favorite rapper this year. The Achilles heel of hip-hop first tried to expose everyone from the Young Money crew, and then expanded her brand by getting into it with athletes like Carmelo Anthony, who deleted his Twitter after putting a bounty on the Stack's head. Kat made her biggest headlines when she taped Soulja Boy in his hotel room and alleged that he was a coke head. The real winner of the Kat Stacks sagas this year? Worldstar Hip Hop's video views.

Why we loved her in 2010: Because she got really naked. Honestly, that's it. Not only are we alright with admitting that, but Anne is too. In fact, she poked fun at her nudity in Love and Other Drugs with the most effortlessly-styled cover shoot Entertainment Weekly has ever done (because it required no wardrobe at all). Now if only Complex could be saved the same trouble in the future. . .

Why we loved her in 2010: We didn't used to be Gleeks. We used to be normal, immoral, apathetic people. Then we came across Lea Michele's spread, so to speak, in GQ and experienced a rather sexual spiritual awakening. We became inspired to tune in every Tuesday on Fox to see this Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actress sing on Glee. Or at least, we think she sings. DGAF, the show's on mute the whole time.

Why we loved her in 2010: It's about darn time people finally took notice of her. After roles in The O.C., Alpha Dog and House, you'd think people would've started recognizing her years ago. Now, with her starring role in Disney's answer to Avatar, Tron, dudes everywhere are imagining being with her in their alternate universe. At least we can always say that we never had to; she entered ours back in 2006 when we first featured her on our cover. FOH, bandwagon fans!

Why we loved her in 2010: This was the year everyone expected from the biggest pop princess of the new generation: the year she turns 18, ends her double life as Hannah Montana and breaks Billy Ray's achy breaky heart with a hilarious leaked video of her taking bong hits of salvia and tripping balls. To be fair, Disney had to have had their starlets on something already, given all of their triple-threat statuses at 12 years old.

Why we loved her in 2010: If you claim to be a sneakerhead and haven't heard about Vashtie, it's time for you to reassess your self-assessment. As if the video director, stylist, and former Creative Director of Island Def Jam couldn't be cooler, she's also undeniably the first lady of sneakers. This year Vashtie was the first woman to ever design her own pair of Jordans (a gray Jordan II) and Complex was lucky enough to get the chance to countdown her 50 favorite pairs with her.

Why we loved her in 2010: After shooting her for our February/March Hot Complex spread this year, the Community star graduated from an Associates in Cuteness right to a Masters in So-Damn-Sexy! OK, so that was a bit cheesy, but the former Mad Men actress has got the awesome personality that might just appreciate that.

Why we loved her in 2010: Besides ending our year with her as our December/January cover girl, the spunky, beard-loving blonde has had a slew of hits, including "We R Who We R," from her latest album Cannibal that have kept her on repeat in your car, in the club, and in your head throughout 2010. So if her abundantly feathered and glittered trash-bag outfits aren't enough for you to remember her in the next year, her upcoming hits are guaranteed to.

Why we loved her in 2010: From The Book of Eli to Black Swan, we admire Mila Kunis for proving that her career isn't doomed to syndication on the small screen as Jackie in That 70s Show. But the greatest reason to love her this year? The same reason Natalie Portman was enamored with her in Black Swan: for granting us sexual liberation.

Why we loved her in 2010: While we can't say we blame Brett Favre for allegedly trying to woo Versus's former The Daily Line reporter, we probably would've gone about it in a more subtle way. We don't know, something about sending penis pictures and leaving multiple voice messages just sort of screams "I am awkwardly desperate" and, subliminally, "I am a crazy person. Please stay away from me."

Why we loved her in 2010: Undoubtedly, this year has expanded the former Mexican telenovela actress's international fan base. As the hot new addition to the second season of Eastbound and Down, the Cop Out actress plays Vida, the sultry bar singer who makes an insta-love connection with Kenny Powers. Note to selves: it's on television, this doesn't happen in real life, and there's nothing wrong with us.

Why we loved her in 2010: We don't think Jessica Stam has had a bad year since puberty hit. As if being a Victoria's Secret Angel isn't enough certification of supermodel status, over the course of the year, Stam has been featured on the cover of Vogue, has been named the new face of the women's footwear company ALDO, and has successfully released her own clothing line with designer-friend Rachel Roy. Add all that up and a Kanye name-drop in the heavy model-mentioning track "Christian Dior Denim Flow", and it'd be tough to say Stam wasn't a big deal in 2010.

Why we loved her in 2010: In the midst of completing her I Am. . . world tour, our girl Beyonce set a record for most Grammy wins by a female artist in one night (a total of six, including Song of the Year for "Single Ladies" and Best Contemporary R&B Album for I Am. . . Sasha Fierce). Her surprise appearances during Jay-Z's performance at Coachella and Alicia Keys' Freedom Tour fueled the hype perpetually surrounding Ms. Knowles, and the unrelenting pregnancy rumor and being consistently bootylicious might've had something to do with making her year a solid '10, too.

Why we loved her in 2010: Scarlett began 2010 as a happily married woman, a first-time Tony Award recipient for her Broadway debut performance in A View from the Bridge, and the box-office breaking Black Widow in Iron Man 2. But as her explosive year comes to a close, so has the GQ Babe of the Year's marriage to Ryan Reynolds. As much as we know how unrealistic it is for us to include dating Scarlett in our new year's resolutions, we will. Right below "get Ryan Reynold's six-pack abs and/or pecks." What? It worked for him! #honestblurb

Why we loved her in 2010: Who wasn't the least bit intrigued by Selita after she played the Phoenix in Kanye's short film "Runaway"? In order to temper our fantasies of Yeezy's new muse as a mythical creature, we compiled a gallery of her hottest pics as a human to justify our attraction. As the saying goes, Selita was undoubtedly "the perfect verse over [Kanye's] tight beat."

Why we loved her in 2010: We thought we were complex, but nothing compares to the complexity of Portman's almost-guaranteed Oscar-winning film Black Swan. Not only were audiences treated to a daunting, uncomfortable, and yet grossly intriguing side of Portman's we hadn't seen since The Professional and her infamous SNL rap, we got to see her have sex with Mila Kunis. Which makes N.P. the epitome of the artful Hollywood actress we love to see (kissing other girls).

Why we loved her in 2010: Don't even try to underestimate Kayden Kross. Her porn star profession may not be something her grandmother can brag about, but this year's host of the AVN Awards is smart enough to know everything from the fact that her name is an alliteration to the politics behind naughty Republican daughters. Oh, and did we mention she writes for Complex? We may be biased, but you've gotta admit this is the most entertaining restaurant review you've ever had. Fuck Yelp, just ask K.K.

Why we loved her in 2010: The cover girl of this year's Sports Illustrated's beloved Swimsuit Issue still makes our list at lucky No. 7. We know you're thinking that was over half a year ago, so she isn't exactly relevant anymore. But we beg to differ. Just turn around and look at the pin-up on your wall. Yup, she's been with us all year long, and 2011 looks to be an even bigger year for her as she gears up for her acting debut opposite Adam Sandler in Just Go With It. Welp, Brooklyn's pretty much secured her spot on our countdown for the next few years.

Why we loved her in 2010: Oh quit your complaining! A chick doesn't need to be a pop superstar or an Oscar-winning actress to make our list. Being the world's hottest convict qualifies, too. It goes without saying that we've heard more about LiLo's legal battles and jail stints over the past year than we've heard about any of the preceding girls on this list. Couple the unceasing tabloid fodder with her covering our August/September issue and you've got the biggest badass of 2010.

Why we loved her in 2010: The year Kim Kardashian doesn't make our list will probably be the year she turns 60 or when her talents (talent 1 and talent 2) have begun to wrinkle. But to be as unbiased as possible towards our cover girl, she did make headlines this year with her dating record (from Reggie to Miles of Gabriel Aubrey), her first show as a producer,The Spin Crowd, and her body paint-only cover shoot for W magazine. See, it was a legitimately solid year for Kim.

Why we loved her in 2010: Rated R, a shaved head, and gun tattoos were so 2009. In 2010, it's all about Rihanna's flaming hew hair color, ending her romance with Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp, and having three new singles, including "What's My Name?" and "The Only Girl," from her latest album Loud hit the top ten on the single charts. To be honest, it's comforting for us to see Rihanna continually reinventing herself; that means the red hair is just a phase guys!

Why we loved her in 2010: If someone told us that her role as Serena Van Der Woodsen on Gossip Girl was written for her, we wouldn't doubt that at all. Whether it's art imitating life or vice versa, Blake is everything SVDW is personified: a Hollywood starlet in The Town, the new muse for Christian Louboutin, and a possible home-wrecking tabloid target after her rumored affair with the now-former Mr. Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds.

Why we loved her in 2010: Not only did she boost Cali's dwindling economy with increased tourism after "California Gurls" dropped, but she single-handedly encapsulated (and triggered) puberty with her second single "Teenage Dream." Then, realizing her audience was in an erotic trance, she put out the inspirational "Firework" to get us off YouTube and change the world. Fortunately, and most memorably, all of these singles (and mixed emotions) can be yours in her cotton candy-scented packaged album Teenage Dream that you need to scratch an image of her naked body on a cloud to smell.

Why we loved her in 2010: Real talk: no one was bigger in rap this year than Nicki Minaj, and yes, we're including the fellas. The Young Money goddess, and Complex cover girl dropped consistently good guest verses on everything from Usher to Kanye West songs, and then when it was time to drop her own album, she moved an impressive 375k units in the first week. Yup, in 2010, she was a motherfucking monster!