People Magazine Names 100 Most Beautiful

Jess Cagle Discusses Who Made The Cut For This Year's Issue

(CBS)  People magazine is about to reveal 2007's 100 most beautiful people. The issue hits stands Friday and The Early Show entertainment contributor and People magazine Assistant Managing Editor Jess Cagle talks about the list of celebrities who made the cut.

The Most Beautiful People issue began in 1990 but in 2006, the magazine expanded the list from 50 to 100 people. This year, Drew Barrymore graces the cover.

"It's a great time for Drew Barrymore," Cagle said. "It seemed to be her year. With each passing year, she is — I wrote it down — 32 years old now. She seems to get — she gets more beautiful every year. She's happy. She's in a great place. And she has a very deep connection with audiences because they've grown up with her."

Halle Berry and Julia Roberts dominate the category with 11 appearances each. George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez and Brad Pitt have all appeared in the issue eight times. This year is Patrick Dempsey's third time on the list.

"He seems to get sexier every year, you know," Cagle said. "In his 40s now. And he — when you're named McDreamy, you pretty much have to be on the world's most beautiful list. He told us he's getting some gray hairs now. But they're coming in a little slower than they used to … but one of the great heads of hair of all time. That's another reason he's always on the list."

This year, Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, 61, is the oldest person in the issue while 14-year-old Trey Smith is the youngest. The issue includes other Oscar-winners such as Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie; Grammy-winners Christina Aguilera and Fergie; and also athletes Laila Ali and Laird Hamilton. The issue also includes television stars such as Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey and Zac Efron of "High School Musical."

This year also features country singer and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood and Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon.

"They have had great years," Cagle said. "Carrie Underwood, for example ... also has this incredible quality of being so accessible and yet stunning to look at, which makes her a perfect country singer. Reese Witherspoon has never looked better. She's not somebody who is all in to being sexy and glamorous."

The issue also features a coming of age list which includes "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere and R&B singer Chris Brown.

"She had a real star quality, fresh face. It's going to be fascinating to watch her," Cagle said about Panettiere. Cagle said that Brown is an "amazing performer" who can not only sing, but also act.

"You look at him and you just see optimism," he said. "It will be fascinating to watch him."

But Hilary Duff, said Cagle, is the ultimate coming of age story because she grows more attractive and put together every year. The issue also features Victoria Secret models who don't hide their curves.

"They're all great," Cagle said. "Not frightfully skinny so we wanted to show them."

For many fascinating facts about this year's list, click here.

[dog-x8]

George Clooney has been in my neck of the woods for the last few months!! He's been shooting a movie in Ware Shoals, and a few other areas in SC. I didn't get to see him (*** it!!!) but the ones who did said he was sooooo nice!------- and HANDSOME TOO!!!!!!If I was just 20 years younger-----------------------------------------------

[themartyred]

no devout Christian should be backing bloody warfare... there's no tie to 9/11 with Iraq, and never will be... hundreds of thousands have died, and we've lost over 3000 heroes who did what their country asked, but just like Viet Nam, they're doing something they shouldn't have been asked to do --- they were much better served (esp. the NATIONAL GUARD who aren't enlisted, God bless their families) being here to be ready if we were ever attacked again by the 9/11 people, or even if S. Korea, China, or someone else went loopy and wanted to start a real war. And the Nat.l Guard SURE woulda been useful with all the hurricanes!!!!

God forgive us, we have done so much wrong...

[mgpm-2009]

Pop star MIKA should be on this list. He's very talented and absolutely gorgeous!!!!

[misty061]

I believe tha Tom Welling and Jensen Ackles should be on that list! All the staff in my office is disatisfied with their names not making your list, why is that?

Maggie@The Real Estate Book

[cpresc21]

Are you FREAKIN kidding me? How could you POSSIBLY not put Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) or Tom Welling (Smallville) on this list? Seriously...if you want to see the hottest men in the celebrity world put down the crack pipe and tune to The CW from 8pm-10pm Thursday nights.

Rock on, Maggie!

[sweetgal_deb]

I agree, Tom Welling should be on this list, he is a real cutie pie! My adult daughter just loves him.

Drew Barrymore is a beautiful young woman. She was a cute kid but thru the years she has blossomed into a very beautiful woman with a real womans body, not a stick with fake breasts like most in Hollywood.

When I see most of the gals on TV or movies now adays I want to hand them a meatball sub! *LOL*

[jtrdlr]

i can think of 100 other beautiful people other than her, she shouldn't be #1, liz hurley should be.

[deth2rap]

Gabriella Sabatini...that woman is undoubtedly THE most beautiful creature on Earth...