The definitive list of Australia’s most influential, powerful, talented, newsworthy, successful and beautiful women this year, starring Nina Kennedy, Margot Robbie, Jessica Fox, Delta Goodrem, Mary Fowler, Elizabeth Debicki, Kylie Minogue, Sam Kerr, Raygun and heaps more…
Women. Influential women, empowering women, Olympic women, talented women, movie women, impressive women, political women, amazing women, model women, funny women, commercial women, beautiful women, pop star women, artistic women, reality TV women, newsworthy women, incredible women, wonderful women, soap star women, brilliant women, TV presenter women, extraordinary women, fitspo women, awesome women, gutsy women, cool women, Australian women – HOT women.
Yes, welcome to the 2024 Ultra Tune MAXIM HOT 100 – our annual, eclectic and definitive list of Australian women who have impressed, made headlines or simply had a huge year. The past 12 months saw an abundance of fine and fierce femmes who have wowed us with their aptitude, intellect, humour, attributes and overall incredible talents. None more so than this year’s winner, Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, whose record-breaking, history-making 18th gold medal at the Paris 2024 games landed Australia its greatest ever Olympics.
Nina has overcome many demons on her way to the top and lifted Australian sport to heights it has never seen. She is the embodiment of true Aussie spirit and an absolute legend. But she’s not the only amazing woman in our HOT 100 – there’s many, many more. So, sit back and enjoy this super-sizzling special edition of MAXIM Australia.
Cheers,
Santi Pintado
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
1. Nina Kennedy
Our high-flying Olympic pole vaulter, Nina Kennedy was the cherry on top at the Paris 2024 games. After missing the finals in Tokyo due to injury, Nina is now the world’s top-ranked female pole vaulter and reigning world champion. Her journey to the top hasn’t been easy – she’s battled physical challenges and mental health issues, openly discussing her struggles with depression that kept her from training for months. She conquered these demons in Paris and absolutely nailed the most important vault of her life, winning her event and in the process securing that record-breaking 18th gold medal for Australia.
Having fought for every inch of her career and overcoming many struggles, Nina conquered the world, raced over to her family and coach in the stands and screamed her lungs out, releasing a triumphant roar. Her story speaks to the overall success of the entire Aussie Olympic team. You’ll find no better role model than Nina Kennedy. It’s only fitting that she became the first person to get the 18th gold and for Australia to reach its greatest ever Olympic heights. And it’s only natural that Nina sits at the summit of the 2024 Ultra Tune MAXIM HOT 100, an issue destined to immortalise the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in all their glory.
Photo: (1) SPP Sport Press Photo. / Alamy Stock Photo
2. Margot Robbie
Our leading lady, and a four-time MAXIM HOT 100 winner, Margot officially claimed the throne as Hollywood’s highest-paid actress of the last year after saving the movie biz with 2023’s smash hit Barbie, which she also helped produce through her LuckyChap production company. Befitting her icon status, Robbie was announced as the new face of the legendary Chanel No.5 in July and, just to keep things interesting, she’s also expecting her first child with husband Tom Ackerley. Buckle up, Margot, your world is about to get even more chaotic – Barbie’s definitely gonna need a mini-me!
Photo: (2) Shutterstock
3. Jessica Fox
If there’s a bright star in the Australian Olympic sky, it’s definitely Jess Fox. At Paris 2024, she didn’t just shine, she practically lit up the whole city. Kicking things off as the Aussie opening ceremony flag bearer, Jess then paddled her way to two gold medals in the C1 and K1 canoe slalom events, proving she’s not just a one-trick pony but a full-on water wizard. The feat officially made Fox the most decorated athlete in canoe slalom history at the Olympics and added to her tally of six medals across four separate Games. Incredible.
Photo: (3) Sport In Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo
4. Kaylee McKeown
McKeown’s five medal haul in Paris will go down in history as one of the most remarkable fortnights of any Australian swimmer. Making it even more special, Kaylee broke several Olympic records, which was miraculous, considering it was supposed to be a slow pool. Among her latest world records, Kaylee is now the first woman in history to win both the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke events at two consecutive Olympic Games and is only the second person to ever achieve the feat. Suffice to say, these records are almost as awesome as her post-swim poolside interviews. We swear on it.
Photo: (4) UPI / Alamy Stock Photo;
5. Mollie O’Callaghan
Every Olympics, Australia’s legendary Dolphins churn out a swimming superstar, and this year it was Mollie O’Callaghan making waves in Paris. With a jaw-dropping haul of three gold medals, plus a silver and a bronze, she basically swam her way to an Olympic buffet as Australia’s most successful athlete. And as the reigning world champion in the 200m freestyle, her victories are the stuff of legends. Thanks for making it look so easy while showing us that hard work really does pay off, Mollie.
Photo: (5) Insidefoto di andrea staccioli / Alamy Stock Photo
6. Sam Kerr
Despite being sidelined for much of the year with an ACL injury, Sam continued to make headlines after an unfortunate incident with a London cop came to light. While she awaits trial, the Chelsea striker’s loyal fans have stuck by the legend’s side throughout months of media intrusion. But it wasn’t all controversial news for our star Matilda; in a shining moment of celebration, WA named its new state football facility the Sam Kerr Football Centre. Sammy’s unapologetic spirit and ability to keep us entertained proves that even when life throws you a curveball, you can still kick it.
Photo: (6) ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo;
7. Elizabeth Debicki
Libby took a bow after stealing the show as Princess Diana in The Crown, earning a second consecutive Emmy nomination and first win – talk about a royal flush! As if that wasn’t enough, she graced the big screen in MaXXXine and became the official ambassador for Dior, because why just slay one role when you can slay them all? Next, she’s swapping tiaras for tiaras of the jewel kind, as she dives into the role of organised crime “godmother” and jewel thief Joan Hannington in the upcoming miniseries Joan. There’s no stopping her range, ability to rock any role and reminding us that being fabulous isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle.
Photo: (7) Shutterstock
8. Ariarne Titmus
If swimming hero Ariarne Titmus was feeling the pressure to replicate her Tokyo Olympics success at this year’s Paris Games, the Launceston legend sure had us fooled. The dynamo defended her gold in her pet event the 400m freestyle and continued the gold rush in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay. Now an eight-time Olympic medallist, Ariarne has taken her place as one of the icons of the sport in and out of the pool, adding official Melbourne Cup Carnival 2024 ambassador to her list of accomplishments. We love her fierce determination, killer speed and that infectious smile that could probably light up an entire aquatic centre.
Photo: (8) dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo;
9. Mary Fowler
After stealing the spotlight at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Mary has continued her rise at at Manchester City and playing for Australia at the Paris Olympics. Now, she’s also part of a sporting power couple with NRL star Nathan Cleary, making headlines and breaking the internet. But even with her fame skyrocketing, Mary stays as down-to-earth as a grass-stained soccer ball. With her charm and skills, she’s like the human version of a double rainbow – rare and totally uplifting!
Photo: (9) Sipa USA / Alamy Stock Photo
10. Abbie Chatfield
As host of her chart-topping It’s A Lot podcast and Binge’s FBoy Island, Abbie continues to do it her way or no way. This year, she hard-launched a romance with Adam Hyde from Peking Duk, creating a Zillennial power couple that even the internet can’t handle. Now, she’s packing up her Trauma Dump Tour for a regional road trip around Australia. With nearly half a million followers on Instagram and TikTok, she’s basically the Swiss Army knife of entertainment – TV star, host, influencer, podcaster, entrepreneur – you name it! At this rate, the only thing she won’t conquer is a five-star rating for her love life!
Photo: (10) XingerXanger;
By SANTI PINTADO & REILLY SULLIVAN
For the full article grab the November 2024 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
