LOS ANGELES – Californian native Marisa Miller beat out the likes of Jessica Biel, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Heidi Klum to take the top spot in Maxim magazine’s "Hot 100" list for 2008, but the stunning supermodel didn’t exactly squeal with excitement when she found out.
"I was really shocked and a little embarrassed to be honest with you — being number one feels like a lot of pressure," Miller told Pop Tarts at Tuesday evening’s ultra-exclusive Maxim party held at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios. "But it’s very flattering to be part of such an amazing group of women; I didn’t even make the list at all last year."
But Miller (who always proves to be one of the most grounded and genuine starlets Pop Tarts has ever encountered) hasn’t only come a long way in the eyes of the men’s magazine. It seems she has also had to overcome an array of personal problems to be the success she is today.
"I was so painfully shy about my body growing up — I was very insecure," she said. "But in doing this job, I’ve been forced to explore these issues and sides of myself I never knew existed or was afraid of. It’s been such an amazing learning process for me."
In just the last few months, Marisa has been branded as the world’s number one bikini body, having been featured on the recent cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition as well as being snapped up as a spokeswoman for Victoria’s Secret.
But that still doesn’t make the 29-year-old beauty immune to being attacked about her bikini body on bitchy blog sites — something the likes of Britney Spears and Mischa Barton have had to endure intensely over recent weeks.
"It’s so unfortunate for those girls. As a woman it feel really good to have some camaradarie. All the cattiness that’s going on right now on the Internet and in the industry is really unhealthy and upsetting," Miller said. "I try to have a happy and healthy image and lift other women up. We should band together, not rip each other apart."
Steve-O Planning a Family; Plus, Tila Tequila and Will.I.Am?!
Making his first public party appearance since being hospitalized in March for substance abuse issues and an alleged suicide attempt, "Jackass" personality Steve-O was on his best behavior at the Maxim bash.
"I'm good today, having a good day," he told Pop Tarts, adding that his goal for the year was to just "stay out of alcohol and drugs."
But that doesn't mean he hasn't thought a little further into the future.
"In a few years, I’d like to at least have a family," Steve-O said. "I think I would be rad as a dad."
Ranked No. 100 on the "Hot List," Tila Tequila turned up on the arm of performer Will.I.Am and proceeded to tell us how "excited" she was for the night because "everyone was going to get laid." The interesting duet then spent the night together holding hands and canoodling in the back corner of the private Hennessy Lounge.
When we left the lavish affair, Tila had already found someone else to hang with — R&B singer and "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Mario.
Plus, what's up with all "The Hills" people? Weren't Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge like, BFFs last time we checked? Conrad and her posse including Lo, Brody, Frankie and Spencer's sis Stephanie also hung out in the Hennessy lounge away from the common folk, while Audrina sat just a table away and didn't exchange a single word with her fellow "friends." Meow.
Kevin Federline also put his best party foot forward on the dance floor and proceeded to hit on everything in a skirt, although the award for most annoying this year certainly goes to Nick Lachey.
The former boy-band frontman refused to even pose for pics with fans and was acting particularly anti-social. Hmmm, we wonder if his gorgeous gal Vanessa Minnillo (who was No. 69 on the hot list but didn't attend the party) even knew he was there?!
Christina Aguilera Doesn't Need to Go Under the Knife to Fit Into an E-Cup
While so many hotties in Hollywood opt for surgery to enhance their "assets," Christina Aguilera has her son to thank for her burgeoning bosom.
The pop princess recently admitted to Us Weekly that since breastfeeding her first child Max Liron (who was born early January), she now has to wear an E-cup for the first time in her life.
"It's kind of hilarious," Aguilera said. "We (she and hubby Jordan Bratman) keep the tags that prove it, to look back for memory's sake!"
Heidi Montag Goes Bare… Everywhere
Heidi Montag may have her very own clothing collection, but that doesn't mean that "The Hills" hottie necessarily has the most appropriate sense of style.
Montag surprised staffers at West Hollywood's Ona Spa last weekend when she strolled in wearing a see-through sundress and insisted on a full body wax.
We're told that halfway through "going bare," Heidi started talking somewhat loudly about her overbearing love for (annoying) boyfriend Spencer Pratt.
But they must be paying those reality kids pretty well these days, as the blonde babe apparently left a "very generous" tip. Well, it's either that or Montag was making up for the negative press she received last week when TMZ reported that she and Pratt only left $16 on a $783 dinner bill at an L.A. restaurant, prompting one of the show's (embarrassed) producers to step in and leave some cash from his personal pocket.
Team Ashton vs. Team Audrina?
For those of you who have yet to experience a Hollywood party, it certainly is a source of amusement when you combine A-list talent with today's ever-popular reality stars.
On Tuesday night, West Hollywood's Dolce Restaurant came alive as hundreds flocked to celebrate the fifth anniversary of restaurant and club entrepreneurs, The Dolce Group.
The group's celeb investor Ashton Kutcher (sans wife Demi Moore) hosted the star-studded soiree smoking and sipping PAMA cocktails as he spent the night hanging with his fellow friends in the fame world, including Matthew Perry and Wilder Valderrama.
Interestingly, today's top reality starlets, Audrina Patridge and "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" stars Khloe and Robert Kardashian, hung out together in a totally different room, emphasizing the Tinseltown division between true talent and, er, luck?!
But ever since those topless snaps of "The Hills" hottie Patridge were released earlier this year, the 23-year-old has been playing mum with the media. Audrina chose to spend the night hidden in the corner canoodling with her on-again/off-again beau Justin Bobby and refused interviews. But every time a camera came close, those two suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.
"They aren't really back together," a Patridge pal told Pop Tarts. "They just act up for the cameras. It's funny." Hilarious.
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