This was the year of the Readers’ Choice.
For the last four years, we’ve scoured the city, looking for all the pretty people. But this year, we left most of the work to you.
We asked for hotties, and you answered. We received pictures taken surreptitiously with camera phones, pictures of friends, and pictures normally classified NSFW.
Thanks to everyone who nominated someone (even if that someone was yourself). You made our job easier and more difficult, because everyone was so darn good-looking.
In fact, this year’s hotties are so hot that at our photo shoot one of them actually caught fire. (Don’t worry. Everyone was okay — no hotties were injured during the making of this issue.) Luckily, one of the hotties is also a firefighter.
Along the way, we discovered some very interesting things: Most of our hotties prefer the color blue, and if you want to take any of them out to dinner, think sushi or Italian.
We also learned that looks aren’t everything. After spending an evening in their very pretty company, we can say that our hotties are all very cool, too.
Readers, you did good.
Becca Franklin
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Scot Robinson
“Reformed” businesswoman and yoga instructor
Virgo
Living with my partner
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Dependable, curious, sensitive.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m good at remembering long strings of numbers. And I’m a yoga instructor, so I can stand on my head.
Favorite color?
Blue.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I was visiting a Bedouin tent in Israel and I ate a sheep’s eye. It’s served in a soup and considered a delicacy.
What are you afraid of?
I’m terrified of losing people I care about.
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
I don’t own a television.
What was the first job you ever had?
It was the worst. I worked for my mother. She was the prep chef at Marina’s. I had to wake up at 6 in the morning. I’d peel garlic, chop big mounds of parsley, grate more parmesan than you’ve ever seen in your life, and, my favorite, peel and devein shrimp. The truth is I learned a lot about cooking.
Favorite movie?
I can’t narrow it down. My favorite this year was The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It was so powerful.
What did you have for breakfast?
Monday is the only day of the week I don’t eat breakfast. I have lunch with my family, and we eat early enough that I don’t need breakfast.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
My yoga instructor, my boyfriend, and my best friend.
What are your deal breakers?
Bigotry, people who are consistently negative, and bad kissers. And people who are overly emotional. I get moody, so I need someone who can even that out. I don’t want to be on a date with myself.
Scot Robinson
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Owner/stylist at Pavo Salon
Libra
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Funny, loving, and sarcastic.
Favorite color?
Blue.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I guess moving to Ft. Lauderdale in the middle of the night. I was 18, and my parents were on vacation. If I didn’t go then, I’d never go.
What are you afraid of?
Flying insects.
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
The Amazing Race.
What’s your best feature?
Either my eyes or my smile.
Favorite food?
Anything Italian.
What did you have for breakfast?
Egg whites on toast with bacon and a glass of cranberry juice.
That sounds pretty healthy.
Except for the bacon. I’m a Libra. It has to be balanced.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
Dental floss — you just have to have that — a blanket, and a loved one.
Favorite sports team?
New York Yankees.
Did you get voted anything in high school?
I did. I was first runner-up for “Mr.” of the school and I was campus leader. They chose six guys and six girls out of the whole class. It’s basically the most popular.
Favorite movie?
Imitation of Life.
If you were arrested tomorrow, what do you think you’d be arrested for?
Running my mouth.
Brooke Stevens
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Becca Franklin
Legal assistant
Virgo
In a relationship
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Fun, outgoing, and considerate.
How do you feel about blind dates?
Considering I had a very successful blind date, I feel good about them.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
On vacation one time, I jumped off a 40-foot cliff. It was kind of painful but pretty fun. My feet were stinging unbelievably bad. I’m glad I didn’t go in headfirst or I’d be bald now.
What are you afraid of?
Bugs and death.
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
Something on the Travel Channel, hopefully. I can’t see myself living in a house with a whole bunch of strangers.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can do magic tricks. I wanted to be a magician when I was little. I used to practice for hours. I can tie knots with no hands.
Could you saw someone in half?
I bet I could. Could I put them back together? That I don’t know.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I can play the clarinet, the oboe, and the French horn. I was a band nerd.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
My computer, a notepad, and a pen.
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Brooke Stevens
Why do you need the pen and the notepad if you have the computer?
I have an obsession with budgeting my money, so I constantly have a notepad in my purse. If I swipe my card for a drink, I redo my budget. I’m meticulous about managing my money.
That’s a good habit in this economic climate.
I’m getting myself on track to retire by the time I’m 45.
Would you rather call someone or text them?
Text! I could cancel my minutes on my phone because all I do is text. My friends joke about how once a month they’ll get a phone call from me. I hate the phone. I think it’s because I answer it all day at work.
Did you get voted anything in high school?
No, we didn’t even have the senior superlatives because people were getting so up in arms over Best Dressed, they canceled it. Isn’t that sad? You’d think I grew up in L.A., but I’m from Alabama.
Greg Hayes
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Firefighter
Virgo
Single
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Professional, fun, and assertive.
Night owl or early bird?
Both. I’m 24 hours a day. That’s my job. There is no day or night for me.
How do you feel about blind dates?
They’re good; any date is good. It’s just what you make out of each date.
Favorite color?
Blue.
What are you afraid of?
Being afraid is not an option in my job.
It sounds like you’ve seen it all.
Pretty much. There are things I could probably tell you that you’d never imagine.
Do you play any musical instruments?
No. The closest I get is singing in the shower.
What did you have for breakfast?
I’m a guy on the go, so it’s usually coffee or Red Bull.
Favorite movie?
Probably the old faithful is Ladder 49. That’s the movie we always watch at the station.
Sports team?
Memphis Tigers.
Would you rather call someone or text them?
Text. If you had texted me, I would have done a lot better with this.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
A tent, a knife, and the girl of my dreams.
Lauren Callaway
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Greg Hayes
Abstracter at a real estate law firm
Libra
In a relationship
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Compassionate, mellow, rational.
What exactly is an abstracter?
I do title searches on properties, but abstracter sounds better. I deal with old deeds and maps and stuff like that.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
It’s not too crazy, but cliff jumping in Hawaii when I lived there. I was trembling for 20 minutes, but once I did it, I wanted to do it every day.
How long did you live in Hawaii?
For four months. I’m going back pretty soon. I’ve been here for a while, but I’m dying to go back. I was kind of a beach bum. It was absolutely amazing.
Is there anything you’re afraid of?
I would say heights, but I kind of conquered that one with the cliff jumping.
What are you reading right now?
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman.
Any advice for someone wanting to date you?
You need to be creative, into music, kind. You need to love animals, have a sense of humor, and your name would have to be Brad Stanfill.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m a rummikub champion. It’s this awesome game, kind of like gin rummy but with tiles. I’m pretty good with numbers.
What’s your best feature?
Probably my hair. It’s really big and thick.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
Brad, my dog, and my stereo.
Favorite food?
Thai food or sushi.
High heels or flats?
Definitely flats. I’m pretty tall, so I’m a little uncomfortable in heels.
Carlos Moore
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Lauren Callaway
Web developer
Sagittarius
Not single. Not married.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Creative, fun, and caring.
Night owl or early bird?
Both. I have to get up early for work, but I like to stay up pretty darn late.
Favorite color?
I love every shade of gray.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I shoot photography. Can I have a shameless plug for my website, carlosmoore.com?
What’s your best feature?
My smile.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I used to play the viola in the high school orchestra.
What was the first job you ever had?
Stocking at Rite Aid before it was Rite Aid. I don’t remember what it was called.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
Camera, radio, cell phone.
Favorite sports team?
Any NBA team. I like something about every NBA team.
What do you like about the Griz?
O.J. Mayo.
Favorite movie?
Melinda & Melinda or Pusher II, this Danish crime film.
If you were arrested tomorrow, what do you think you’d be arrested for?
Probably driving way too fast.
Would you rather call someone or text them?
Just follow me on Twitter.
Candyce Thompson
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Carlos Moore
Dental student
Cancer
Single
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Random, loyal, spirited.
What’s your best feature?
I would like to say my smile because, as a future dentist, that’s what I hope it is.
How do you feel about blind dates?
I would prefer to know what I’m getting myself into ahead of time.
What do you look for in a date?
Someone who’s pretty laid-back. When people try too hard or put on too much of a show, I get uncomfortable.
Favorite color?
Turquoise.
Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I’m not crazy at all. My idea of stepping out of my shell is I wore red lipstick on New Year’s. It felt like I had a different persona.
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
I don’t know, but I would get eliminated pretty quickly.
Why?
These people, the way they act on VH1 dating shows, I couldn’t see myself embarrassing my mother like that.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was an orientation leader during undergrad.
What’s an orientation leader?
I would take the incoming freshmen around the campus. I’ve been a professional student my whole life.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I played the flute for two years when I was little.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
If there’s an Internet connection, my laptop, my mother, and Benihana.
So your favorite food is …
I’m obsessed with steak, but anything from Benihana.
Any deal breakers?
Liars. I’m pretty easygoing, so there’s no need to lie to me about anything.
Would you rather call someone or text them?
Text. I get more text messages than I get phone calls
Did you get voted anything in high school?
Most Likely To Succeed.
Juan Jurado
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Candyce Thompson
IT Network field technician
Scorpio
Single
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Laid-back, friendly. I guess that makes three.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
In November, I went skydiving. It was kind of on a whim. My buddy and I always talked about it, and we finally said let’s stop talking about it, let’s just go and do it. It was an amazing experience.
What are you afraid of?
Moving out of the comfort zone that is Memphis.
Are you moving?
I don’t know. It’s something that always comes up. I love Memphis, but the idea of a change of scenery is nice.
Favorite color?
Green.
How do you feel about blind dates?
I’ve never actually been on one. I have a lot of friends who say I should set you up with someone. But they never do.
Any advice for someone wanting to date you?
Be honest. Honesty is all I’m looking for. Well, it’s not all I’m looking for. I’m looking for a very intelligent woman, someone who’s opinionated, but not too opinionated.
We heard you do marathons?
I’ve been running for three or four years. Last December, I ran the [St. Jude] half, and this past December, I ran the full. I like running and getting out. It’s very therapeutic.
What’s your best feature?
I’m told it’s my freckles.
Favorite sports team?
Memphis Tigers. I bleed blue.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
Water, a radio to listen to the Tigers game, and an iPod.
What are your deal breakers?
Lack of confidence and bad breath.
Favorite movie?
Braveheart. That’s the only movie that when it comes on television, no matter what part it’s on, I’ll watch it, even if it’s in the last 30 minutes.
Camille Patterson
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Juan Jurado
Public relations manager for Ampro Industries
Virgo
Divorced
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Passionate, empathetic, and caring.
How do you feel about blind dates?
I actually like blind dates. People usually can pick things better than I can: clothes, shoes. Everyone else is my personal shopper. I’ve been on blind dates, and they’ve all been nice people.
Any advice for someone wanting to date you?
Remember the old adage that patience is a virtue.
What are you afraid of?
Rats and mice. I am deathly afraid of those things, and I freeze up if I see one. If I saw one at my house, I would have to move.
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
I like those exercise shows. They want to kill you. I work out two days a week. I want to up it to four days a week, but to do that, I need someone to scream at me.
Favorite movie?
I love The Notebook right now. Before, it was The Princess Bride. I’m a romantic.
We hear you’ve done some modeling.
Recently, Ampro asked me to model for our new hair relaxers and texturizers, so my face is on the back of our delivery trucks.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
I’d have to bring my son, because I think he can’t function without me. He thinks he can. I would have to bring a basket of Ampro products to keep my hair looking nice, and I’d have to bring my laptop. I’m a Facebook junkie.
Favorite sports team?
Memphis Grizzlies. I really like basketball.
Would you rather call someone or text them?
Call. Texts don’t have any personality.
High heels or flats?
In all honesty, flats. I do a lot of walking in my job. I’m out in the streets talking to people, running in and out of salons. I’d rather do that in flats.
Did you get voted anything in high school?
I was Most Popular and Most Versatile.
What’s Most Versatile?
It means I was doing everything. I was president of the senior class, captain of the majorettes, and vice president of the concert choir.
If you were arrested tomorrow, what do you think you’d be arrested for?
Mistaken identity.
Joe Murphy
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Camille Patterson
Runs the Music For Aardvarks Memphis children’s program
Cancer
Married
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Hard-working, curious, committed.
Night owl or early bird?
Because I have two small children, I don’t really have a choice in the matter: early bird.
What are you afraid of?
Anything happening to my family.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I was an actor in New York. It’s not very interesting.
What shows did you do?
Sex and the City, Law & Order, Rescue Me, Guiding Light.
What’s your best feature?
I try to be very open with people when I meet them.
Favorite sports team?
The Green Bay Packers, for better or worse. I’m from Wisconsin, so I don’t have a choice. It’s in my DNA.
What was the first job you ever had?
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I rode my bike. They would never let an 8- or 9-year-old kid do that now.
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
My family, my guitar, and the SAS Survival Handbook.
What’s your favorite movie?
2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s a total mindblower of a movie. It puts all the big questions up on the screen in a truly original way. No movie even comes close in comparison.
If you were arrested tomorrow, what do you think you’d be arrested for?
Punching Rush Limbaugh in the face.
Rae Lynn Hartley
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Joe Murphy
Producer/entertainment reporter for My Eyewitness News
Leo
Single
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Feisty, independent, a perfectionist.
Favorite color?
Red.
Night owl or early bird?
Depends on the day. I don’t like getting up early, but I work nights. Staying up late gets old, but it’s nice to sleep in.
How do you feel about blind dates?
I’m not against them. I’ve been on them, but I think the more I go on, the more I become leery. Sometimes afterward I’ll think, Does my friend really know me? Why has she set us up?
If you were going to be on a reality television show, which one would it be?
I would love to be on Project Runway. I can’t sew to save my life but I love that show. I love Tim Gunn.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Obviously not sewing.
Since you’re an entertainment reporter, who is your favorite celebrity?
I don’t know if I have a favorite. I love my job because I can sit at work and look at perezhilton.com and tmz.com and not get into trouble.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I took piano lessons for a number of years, but I hated practicing, so I can play, but it’s only a step above “Chopsticks.”
If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
Sunscreen. I’m kind of partial to lipstick, so I’d have to bring that and a book.
Favorite food?
I love dessert. If I had to narrow it down, it would have to be my mom’s cherry pie or my Aunt Kay’s chocolate cake.
High heels or flats?
Heels. I’m barely 5 feet tall, so I need the extra height.
Favorite movie?
My friends make fun of me: Doctor Zhivago.
If you were arrested tomorrow, what do you think you’d be arrested for?
I’m a pretty law-abiding citizen. I’m scared to break the law. ❤
by Melissa Anderson Sweazy
Rae Lynn Hartley
