Priyanka Chopra reclaims her crown

ACTRESS Priyanka Chopra has been named the world’s sexiest Asian woman for a record-breaking fifth time by Eastern Eye newspaper.

The accolade rounds off another dream year for the actress, as she makes incredible strides internationally with her Hollywood debut

in Baywatch, winning the People’s Choice Award for her acclaimed TV serial Quantico and signing further high profile films in the west.

Priyanka has continued to make giant strides as a producer too and remained one of the hottest Indian stars on social media, crossing 20 million followers on Instagram.

“I cannot actually take credit for this at all," she said, adding, "full credit should be given to my genetics and your optics! Thank you Eastern Eye and to everyone who voted for me to be Asia's Sexiest Woman, for what I'm told is a record breaking number of times! I feel grateful and am humbled. Consistency is key.”

Now in its 14th year, the longest running list of its kind is based on millions of votes by fans around the world, media coverage, impact and heat generated across various social media platforms.

The mass interest in the 2017 edition of the list was such that it was trending on Twitter across different countries, including India, when voting was on.

Eastern Eye’s award-winning entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who founded the list and puts it together annually, said: “Priyanka Chopra has become an incredible international ambassador for India and is smashing through glass ceilings all over the world. Apart from being courageous enough to fly into the unknown professionally, she has also done a lot of work for social causes, become a strong symbol for girl power and is making a young generation have big dreams. She is the perfect mix of beauty, brains, bravery and a kind heart.”

Small screen beauty Nia Sharma came in second and held onto her position as the sexiest television star in the list.

Up one place from last year, the talented actress was thrilled to be second behind her inspiration. “I dare to dream of reaching where Priyanka Chopra is one day. But seeing my name next to her in the list is no less a dream and struck me with a frenzied happiness. What my fans have done, I can’t pay them back in words. They make me feel confident and I feel I exist because of them. Yes, it’s a TV girl who is weird, fierce, bizarre, wannabe or whatever names they call her. I owe my fans this joy and want to share it with them despite not being able to digest the development,” said Sharma.

Last year’s winner Deepika Padukone came in third; the crown princess of Bollywood, Alia Bhatt, was fourth and popular Pakistani star Mahira Khan was fifth in the list.

Leading ladies in the top 10 were Drashti Dhami (6), Katrina Kaif (7), Shraddha Kapoor (8), Gauahar Khan (9) and Rubina Dilaik (10).

Mahira Khan, who was the highest placed Pakistani for a third year in a row, was taken aback by the news and said: “Honestly, this time I think I’m just going to take the tag and run with it! It feels great, third time in a row. Being sexy or beautiful for me is really just being comfortable in your own skin."

The highest place newcomer and youngest in the list is 19-year-old television actress Shivangi Joshi (16), who has made an incredible impact on hit TV serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

The oldest in the list is 54-year-old Sridevi (49), who is one of two editor’s choices in the 2017 list.

The other editor’s choice is Pakistani singer Momina Mustehsan (37), who has emerged in the male-dominated music industry in Pakistan and made a massive impact along with opening a debate about important social causes.

“Momina has a heavenly voice and looks to match, but, more than that, she has opened up debate on important issues like woman empowerment, cyber bullying and mental illness. She is making a mark in a male-dominated music industry and is a singing icon for a new generation. She is also becoming a strong symbol of girl power in Pakistan,” said Asjad.

Other names in the 2017 list include Niti Taylor (11), Sonam Kapoor (12), Sanaya Irani (13), Jennifer Winget (14), Esha Gupta (17), Helly Shah (20), Krystle DSouza (21), Charli XCX (24), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (26), Erica Fernandes (28), Jacqueline Fernandez (30), Athiya Shetty (32), Humaima Malick (33), Anushka Shetty (42) and Anushka Sharma (44).

The complete 50 Sexiest Asian Women list for 2017 is published in Eastern Eye newspaper on December 8 and the list of 50 Sexiest Asian men is released on December 15.