South African actress Charlize Theron

Once South Africa was considered the skunk of the world, but since ditching apartheid, it's gained a lot of respectability. And Charlize Theron, its hottest export since mbaqanga music, has certainly done a lot to cast her country in a favorable light. :-)

Despite her sex appeal, Theron has proven herself as an actress for playing unglamourous roles, mainly in 2003's Monster (for which she won a Best Actress Oscar) and 2005's North Country (for which she was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar).

Mademoiselle Theron returns to the silver screen this year for Battle in Seattle, a movie about the anti-globalization protests at the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference of 1999 in that city.