There was certainly no shortage of worthy candidates, but Esquire magazine has settled on Charlize Theron as its "sexiest woman alive" this year.

We're not sure if we'd go that far, but the Oscar-winning actress, 32, is certainly looking damn good in magazine's new issue, due out Tuesday.

Yeah. This sexy Charlize Theron photo might prove Esquire's point.

Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her role in Monster, and was nominated for another for North Country. She also has a funny side, delivering some great Arrested Development quotes in a recurring role on the offbeat Fox comedy.

Sexiest woman alive, though? That's a bit of a stretch. Charlize sure is in the running for this homor, but what about these other worthy candidates?

• Clytie Lane
• Lucy Pinder
• Kristin Davis
• Minka Kelly
• Kimberly Bell
• Hayden Panettiere (she's legal now!)
• Britney Spears (just kidding, y'all!)