Holly is ICWales WM Magazine's favourite ...

[gareth]

Here is a link to interesting news about Holly!

The article lists what they call the 50 sexiest women in Wales for 2005 - and Holly is at number 1!

Actually, if you ask me, what they present appears much more like a list of the 50 Welsh female personalities of the year, but judge for yourself.

You can also read Holly's response to it all. The paper version of the magazine includes 3 photos - only one is available in the on-line article.

Ohh, and one qualification seemed to have been that if you had really made your name already, then you wouldn't be eligible for the list - so that's why household names like Charlotte Church, Katherine Jenkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones were left out! Looks as if WM wanted to present a list of 50 names who have been in the news this year, and who deserved some extra publicity. As far as that is concerned, I think they picked the right number 1 .

icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/women/020403features/tm_objectid=16250298%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=wales%2d%2d50%2dsexiest%2dwomen%2d2005-name_page.html


Gerrit

[fusilier23]

(pinches chin in thought) Hmmmm. Well, there is certainly no disagreeing with Holly being one of Wales' lovliest women ever, though, like Holly herself, I'm a little surprised at her being called "sexy." That's partly because we Americans don't tend to use the term for women who aren't 18, but, Holly will be 18 in 2 months, so we better get used to thinking of her as an adult.

But, to me, it will never be about appearance only with Holly, it's really about her kind nature, she has always been a good, but thoroughly human and accessible person, and I certainly will keep giving her all the support I can give.

[gareth]

Hi Steven,

Like you, I had the same thought - especially seeing that what ICWales defines as sexy is (as far as I'm concerned) not what is traditionally meant with this word. That's also why I declined to use the word in the title of this thread .

And if you read her response, she seems to be very much taken by surprise by it all (using the word "shocked" twice) ....

I had to grapple a bit with the news self - but then decided it would be better to publish it with a positive outlook.

Gerrit

[portia]

Sexy can mean anything you want. I personally don't think Holly fits my definition of the word "sexy", but I think sexy doesn't equal a washboard stomach and gargantuan artificial breasts.

[fusilier23]

At 35, I long ago abandoned that shallow definition of sexy, in fact I find the use of implants to border on the vulgar. But to some extent you have something, sexy can have a very broad range of meanings, and it's obvious a very broad range of meanings was used here.

I think what I really want to say is that I am glad Holly is starting to get noticed on the adult level, and that's "adult" as in treating her like a mature person, not "adult" as in the kind of entertainment you can only show after 9 PM. She has done very well for herself up to now, with several well-received public appearances, performances overseas, appearances for VIPs, an album, and many awards including the prestigious ones won this summer; most would-be-classical singers don't get this far at all, leave alone get this far by the age of 17. But I am kind of glad that now, as she hopefully starts to make the transition from aspirant to bona fide star, she will do it as an adult or an almost-adult the way Hayley did in the bulk of the world. After watching things unfold for Hayley, now seeing things start to unfold for Claire, and knowing Holly as a person, I can honestly say that in the long run this is the best time, for the media will treat her like an adult, and, well, a lot of episodes that it's better not happen will not happen.

All the best to Holly.

[gareth]

I concur with your thoughts here Steven.

I think it will be good to realise that when Holly gets her break, she won't be a teen prodigy, but a mature young adult with a stylish appearance and a powerful, beautiful voice.

Here is one young lady whom I do wish every success, and I am pleased to see that the local press is supporting her.

I'm sending you a PM about a related matter.

Gerrit

[fusilier23]

Thanks, prodigy is by nature a self-limiting title, and, well, there's a lot more to it that I shouldn't say publicly, knowing both Holly and Hayley I feel funny talking about them as if they aren't here and saying things I wouldn't say to either of them if they were.