Esquire magazine continues its annual tradition of naming one female celebrity “the sexiest woman alive” by declaring South African beauty Charlize Theron as this year’s pick.

Esquire has previously named Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson as the world’s sexiest women and now 32-year-old South Africa-born Charlize Theron officially joins their ranks.

While the magazine celebrates her beauty and sex-appeal, the Academy Award winning actress has not hesitated to gain weight and wear facial prosthetics for her role as serial murderer Aileen Wuornos in 2003’s “Monster” and her efforts were indeed rewarded, with wide critical acclaim and an Academy Award.

She tells Esquire magazine that her good looks have not always guaranteed good career choices anyway. “‘Reindeer Games.’ That was a bad, bad, bad movie. Even though the movie might suck, I got to work with John Frankenheimer. I wasn't lying to myself - that's why I did it,” the actress said.

“I mean, he directed ‘The Manchurian Candidate,’ which is like the movie of all movies.”

And while the magazine’s November issue includes a sexy photo shoot of the actress, “supine, in a black bra, on a bed somewhere,” as the article’s author writes, Charlize was not all sweet and tender, as she shared some of her political views.

“I grew up in a country that learned the lesson that you can't impose your way of life on 26 different kinds of people just because you call yourself righteous,” the sexy actress says. “I think there are lessons this country still has to learn. Doesn't mean they can't be learned.”

Charlize is currently in a long-term relationship with Irish actor Stuart Townsend. The two have been together after co-starring in the 2002 thriller “Trapped.” The actors collaborated again in the 2004 romantic drama “Head in the Clouds.”

The two artists will see the release of “Battle for Seattle” this December, probably a reason of pride for both. Townsend makes his directorial debut with this political film. He also wrote the screenplay, while Charlize stars, alongside Michelle Rodriguez and Woody Harrelson.

For more details on Charlize Theron’s “sexiest woman alive” laurels, visit www.esquire.com