People magazine has released a partial listing of its annual Sexiest Man Alive list. While the magazine’s editors may have agreed to place the “Long Walk to Freedom” actor Idris Elba at No. 2, falling behind Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, many women would disagree. For the last few years, eager fans have launched petitions to subvert the magazine’s No. 1 choice with another of their own choosing. It’s likely this year won’t be any different.
The magazine says of Elba: “Look up ‘man’ in the dictionary, and you’ll see a photo of Elba next to the entry. We kid – we think – but the 41-year-old Brit really is the picture of masculinity with his strong features, deep voice and towering height (he’s 6’3”!).
“He’s a bit of a troublemaker – his road to fame was dotted with some slightly naughty behavior – but it seems all is forgiven when he smiles. Not that he minds the bad-boy reputation. ‘The way I live my life, I’m two drinks from being in the tabloids every day. I’m no national treasure,’ he told Esquire U.K. “I’m a f*** [dirty] rude boy!’ Rarr!”
Singer Bruno Mars also made the list at No. 5:
“The Hawaii native’s smile is one of his sweetest attributes, but it’s that silky voice and those sexy dance moves that really rev engines. Plus, the 28-year-old isn’t afraid to talk about his love of, well, lovemaking. ‘It feels … sexy,’ he told GQ of singing about sex. ‘It puts you in a sexy frame of mind. It feels good to project. Sex is a great party starter.'”
The multi-talented music producer Pharrell Williams rounded out the top ten at No. 9:
“He had the two sexiest singles of the summer (and escaped all the controversy surrounding one), and though he’s been around for quite some time, Pharrell’s star got a bit brighter this year. However the 40-year-old hit maker, who has a snazzy sense of style (and an equally fashionable new wife) is all about reinventing himself – and he hopes his next iteration is different than what we’ve already seen.
“‘Pharrell the person is never going to change, but before the shell becomes too popular, I like to switch it up,’ he told Interview. ‘I want to express myself, but I never really want to express myself in the same way over and over again.'”
