Twenty-two-year-old, sought-after model and well-known surfer, Roxy Louw, walked away with top honours this year as
FHM’s Sexiest Woman in the World, presented by Samsung 3D, after more than two-million record-breaking votes were received.
The American supermodel, Marisa Miller, was the highest ranking international celebrity (number five on the poll). Best known for her associations with Harley Davidson and lingerie giant, Victoria’s Secret, Marisa stole the crown from last year’s winner, Megan Fox (who enjoyed the accolade the year before as well).
Visiting the Durban archery club, Roxy was sitting on the grass watching a friend shoot bows when she got the million dollar call from
FHM Editor, Hagen Engler. “Hagen’s a keen surfer too, so it was great to hear the news from him. I was overwhelmed and totally surprised. The worst thing was that I wasn’t able to tell anyone. So I kept it in and just sat their smiling. It was really hard not to breathe a word about it.”
Roxy says that she didn’t even realise that voting was on the go for this year’s
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2010, presented by Samsung 3D, which added to the surprise. She adds: “In previous years I was in Cape Town with my model friends where the topic of
FHM 100 Sexiest was always on everyone’s lips. But this year has just flown by, so I didn’t even realise that I was in the running.”
The first person she told was her mom, who was just as excited. “Winning the title is an absolute dream come true and an enormous honour. I remember having Kerry McGregor’s pic as a kid. I’m so stoked!”
Commenting on Roxy as the winner,
FHM Editor, Hagen Engler, says: “Roxy Louw is a fresh choice as
FHM Sexiest Woman in the World, presented by Samsung 3D and as voted by
FHM’s fans. She’s a career surfer; daughter of rugby Springbok legend, Rob Louw; and a card-carrying saver of lives. She’s made headlines for so much more than just being beautiful, which she absolutely is! She’s a tomboy who’s great to share a drink with; she knows her sport; she loves to jol; and she’s a blonde bombshell with a perfect body. What’s not to love?
“Roxy’s been part of the
FHM family since we first introduced her to the country in 2005. She appeared in the
FHM Calendar 2008, and she was
FHM’s ‘Babe of the Century’, on the cover of our 100
th issue in April 2008. She also came to Swaziland with us when we shot the
FHM Lingerie Special 2009. She’s a cool lady, equally popular with
FHM staff and fans, and we can’t wait to work with her on her
FHM cover shoot for
FHM’s September issue. Roxy rocks, and we’re proud to have her as the winner of the
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2010, presented by Samsung 3D.”
Born and bred in Cape Town, Roxy now also lives in Durban, juggling her life between the surf in Durban and great weather, and her friends and family in Cape Town.
The thousands of
FHM fans who voted for Roxy will be delighted to know that South Africa’s most famous surfing girl and now the world’s sexiest woman, is single!
As a sought-after model, Roxy experienced many career highlights, including becoming the face of brands like Woolworths; Oakley International; Kauai; Nashua; and more. Talking about her future, she says that she will wait to see what life throws at her as she is always up for a new challenge. At present, she is the brand ambassador for Kauai health foods and part of the Oakley team.
Describing herself as spontaneous; loyal; indecisive; adventurous; fun; impatient; and always up for a challenge, Roxy says that her philosophy in life is to face her fears. “Everyone has fears, but it’s how you deal with them that separates you from the average person. You can play it safe; choose the path of least resistance; and never conquer anything. Or you can face your fears and elevate your life. Looking back, there are so many things I was initially scared to do. But once I conquered them, they became the things I love more than anything. If I hadn’t overcome my fears, I would’ve missed out on so much. Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
Looking back at the previous ten
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World winners, including iconic beauties such as Lee-Ann Liebenberg; Minki van der Westhuizen; Lyndall Jarvis; Tanya van Graan; and the McGregor sisters (amongst others), Roxy says that she doesn’t have a favourite. “All of them were fantastic. The
FHM fans have done a great job over the years!”
Apart from surfing, Roxy’s hobbies include cooking; travelling; painting; going to the gym; enjoying cocktails at sunset; dancing; chilling with friends; swimming; braaiing; going for game drives; making bonfires; and eating.
With an impressive handful of A symbols in matric, Roxy is still planning to study further at some stage. “I tried to study part time – catering and events management – but with all the craziness and travelling last year, I didn’t get far.”
Roxy refers to her dad, rugby Springbok legend, Rob Louw, who is doing well after his recent battle with cancer, as her hero and inspiration. “His spirit motivates me and puts tears in my eye every time I think about it. I spent a great deal of time with him during his operations in Houston (USA) and his recovery time in between in the Bahamas. It was three months of chaos and it felt like being spun around in a washing machine. But it was definitely the most humbling experience of my life! Why worry about silly things in life if there is a greater deal out there. God was amazing through the whole adventure.”
While growing up, Roxy never realised her dad was famous. “I always thought it was normal having press around and people giving him attention. It’s funny, my dad is great. He has kept our family on our feet. ‘There are no stars in the family. We are all stars,’ he always said.” Not considering herself as famous either, despite being a household name in South Africa, she says she is oblivious to it. “But when a kid comes over and gives me a hug and says ‘you are that surfer girl’ I do get a secret smile. It touches me.” Apart from her mom and dad, Roxy also has two sisters, Misty (21) and Shahnee (19), who are both studying in Stellenbosch, and a brother, Robert (17), who is at Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch). “We are all very, very close.”
After being crowned as
FHM’s Sexiest Woman in the World 2010, presented by Samsung 3D, Roxy received prizes worth R100 000, including a R50 000 Samsung LED 3D television.
The July issue of
FHM, with the special
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World supplement, presented by Samsung 3D, is on sale now.
For more information, visit
fhm.co.za or
m.fhm.co.za via your mobile phone’s internet browser.