Shak's Choice: Nazanin Boniadi

It's a bit of a special edition today. You see the magnificent Nazanin isn't technically my choice; heck I don't even watch How I Met Your Mother, the show in which she was spotted. But after a (girl) friend suggested I marry Nazanin I thought it prudent to look her up and, yes, it turns out that she's actually quite the knockout.



Notable tidbits include how she's Iranian, that she's won awards for her work in cancer research and how much of an activist she is. So no, not just a pretty face then.

Shak's Choice: Melody Hossaini

Now that it's all over and we know who's won, we're left with the real competition: yes, that's right, who made it as Shak's Choice for this season. And although I didn't realise it at the start of the show this year has actually been quite the prettiest for a while, and as such I've actually had to struggle a bit - I've even had to confer with my peers tonight over text message it's been that difficult.

So for the first time ever I'll have to include some notable mentions. In no particular order we have Felicity, Susan (who was my pick to win), Helen and Zoe. You all should be proud of getting this far, but unfortunately: you're fired.

But ultimately this years pick was the obvious choice; I even said so myself at the start of the season. That's right, this year's Shak's Apprentice Choice is the delightful Melody Hossaini:


But let's get one thing straight here. Unlike most other Apprentice fans I didn't actually immediately think Melody the prettiest in the house. In fact I would say that, lookswise, she kind of grew on me over time. But what I did like about her straight away was the way she presented herself - dainty and vulnerable and yet with some real power and intelligence, and while she was annoying everyone else with her style of talking I was loving it. And yes, the whole posh thing helped loads too. But it's not all about how attractive a candidate is; no, Melody did well in the process too. In fact I think she's been the most successful and impressive Choice yet.

So there you have it: the real winner of this year's Apprentice. I'm quite confident that this will come to some consolation to her as she continues on her path to world domination.

Shak's Choice: Emma Singh

Despite the evidence to the contrary, I'm not a shallow person. Okay sure, I do like pretty people, but I most certainly don't think it's the be all and end all or the only quality of a person that gives them value or spark; for example I talk more about attitude and personality than I do looks on this blog. And when I do pick someone to become Shak's Choice, it's always a decision based on more than just looks: I do also dig a little deeper and talk about personality and stuff, even if that's only of a character. I most certainly haven't ever picked, I dunno, a straight up model or anyone.

Until today. Quite shamefully, I know nothing about Emma Singh apart from how she looks:


First seen on GV's medley video, she's so pretty that I actually find myself not caring about what she's like. How awful is that? I'm sure she's nice though, and apparently she's doing a degree of some sort... Erm. And that's all I can say about Emma.

Anyway, excuse me while I go jump off a cliff now in shame. Totally worth it.

Shak's Choice: Anushka Sharma

I'm going to start this post off by saying that I don't actually think Anushka is that stunning. She's not ugly of course, but she's not a raw beauty either.



But then it's precisely this well grounded vibe that makes her so compelling. She's oozes happiness, as demonstrated by that oft-worn cheeky smile, and dances in a way that screams how fun she is. She's talented too - she's obviously on the screen for her personality and acting skills more than her sex appeal.

Anushka just goes to show that positive energy and contentment can be just as attractive as anything physical. The lesson here is to just keep smiling and be happy!

Shak's Choice: Sandeesh Samra

Sure she was always going to be an obvious pick, but even I'm surprised at how quickly I've become a fan of Sandeesh. We've not even seen much of her yet.



As with all the Apprentice girls, she's smart, sassy and has tons of class. Oh and of course she could end up with a six-figure job. Cha ching. And she started in the place most the hotties are found: in retail.

Okay, I admit that I have less of a business case for Sandeesh than I had for Ghazal and Sara when they made Shak's Choice, but based on what little we have seen I'm sure she'll do us proud when her first featured episode airs. Not that she's made it here solely on her looks or anything, but oh my: those eyes.

On a technical note I may have somehow scored a high enough pagerank to place this post on the front page of a Google search on her name. My last two Asian-Apprentice-Girl-related-posts were both read by their respective Asian-Apprentice-Girls, each time before I had the pleasure to meet them in person. In short, if you do happen to read this Sandeesh, well, then I look forward to congratulating you on your success in person. That's the power of Shak's Choice.

Shak's Choice: Malaika Arora

Just two words really: Munni Badnaam.



It's just a crying shame that she's married to a Khan, and another example of how crazy this world can be.

As an aside, can you believe it's been ten months since my last Choice? I must be getting old.

Shak's Choice: Gursharonjit Grewal

Those of you who follow me on Twitter (and perhaps the rest of you who know me too) will probably wonder why this has come so late. Well the truth is that I wanted to see just how genuine her portrayal on Channel 4's The Family actually was; and after four episodes and numerous radio and television appearances I think we all know who Gursharonjit, or Shay, really is.


I have to (respectfully of course) admit that she's not super stunning in the celebrity sense, but then she's hardly ugly. I'd say she has a more "real and practical" good looks, you know, the type that doesn't need an airbrush to pass our now high standards. But regardless of her looks she's actually made the illustrious status of Shak's Choice for much more important reasons: she's really here because of her ace personality and character.

Every Wednesday we see how devoted she is to her family. She finds happiness and contentment in the simple things: whether it's in playing simple games of noughts and crosses with her soon-to-be husband, wordsearches with aunty or messing around with Tindy. She's responsible and gladly so, making sure the dogs are fed even though she's late for her own hen party and finding it an honour to massage her in-laws head/feet or even thread uncle's nose - she both allows everyone to rely on her but equally doesn't find it weak to rely on others. She's smart in a real, experienced way, yet wonderfully simple: she won't feel that she's wasted her life if she doesn't get to publish a book or influence government policy.

Genuinely nice and friendly, undemanding and never a headache; her happiness stems from that of those around her, a selflessness which is depressingly rare nowadays. Shay just goes to show that you don't need to be a tarted up celeb or popstar to be uniquely, yet massively, attractive. I just hope that Sunny doesn't track me down and kick my arse.

Vindicated by Esquire!

Once again my awesome taste in women is vindicated by a leading gents mag; this time as Esquire announces Kate Beckinsale as the Sexiest Woman Alive (well in 2009 anyway). For those of you not keeping track, I called her almost three years ago. In some ways her making my list was a precursor to all she's achieved since.

A similar thing happened with Kristin Davis, and it's nice to have my taste in women confirmed like that. So yes, remember ladies: make into Shak's Choice and perhaps you'll be topping charts too. You know you all want to.

Shak's Choice: Cooking Heroines

A bunch of female videogame characters cooking? Yes please:



Aww so cute. Individual piccies here. I reckon Mai is my favourite, but only 'cos I like soup so much. Chun Li's Muffin comes a close second though.

Shak's Choice: Grace Park

Allow me to confirm once again how much of a nerd I am: presenting is Grace Park who plays Boomer in Battlestar Galactica. I mean she's purty enough:



But I suspect it's really the sci-fi setting in which she is shown that really makes her a hottie; she's a pilot for heaven's sake. Oh and by the way, BSG ain't all that bad so far. Hooray for DVD marathons!

Shak's Choice: Zoe Saldana

For those of you who have seen the film Zoe plays a delightful Uhura in this weekend's Star Trek:



I'm sure a big part of her qualifications is due to the big ol' geek in me, but hey, we like who we like for a variety of reasons. And yes, it took me ages to find one of her in Starfleet garb. Boots and miniskirts? Ah, you just gotta love the fashion from sixties' sci-fi.

Shak's Choice: Asin

Probably my first Tamil choice (I lose track sometimes), it's the wonderful Asin, currently starring as Kalpana in the superb Ghajini:


Although she isn't really that new after all: she has made a few films already and so it's surprising that it's taken this long for her to breakthrough. Better late than never eh?

Shak's Choice: Rachel Stevens

Let's get this straight: I've always had the hots for Rachel. Yes, okay, I know I wasn't alone in placing her as my favourite S-Clubber, but my point is this post isn't just because of her current success in Strictly Come Dancing:


I'd actually say she's more cute than hot, but hey: let's not get into semantics. I write this as she enters the final two in tonight's final and although I was always backing her from the start I don't actually care whether she wins or not since she'll still be awesome whatever happens.

Shak's Choice: Katrina Kaif

Okay, I'll confess. I wasn't a big fan of Katrina during her earlier big hitters. I personally blame her for starring alongside (and later dating) Salman Khan, somehow disliking her by association. Still the fact is my opinion of her has gone from "meh" to "hmmm, maybe", finally landing firmly on "OMFG UGUGUGGU" and her performance in Singh is Kinng just went on to cement that:



And to top it all off she's a Londoner! Not that's, uh, surprising or anything. I know lots of Asian Londonettes who are just as pretty if not more so. Uh... I'll be off now...

Shak's Choice: Angelina Jolie

Yes, it's an obvious one - but then I've never claimed to be anti-establishment about these things. Angelina is currently playing the assassin Fox in Wanted, where she demonstrates exactly what makes her so alluring:


More than the looks, it's the attitude. Shame about the tats though.

Shak's Choice: Stephanie Dubois

Even though she went out on Day One of Wimbledon, the beautiful Stephanie was definitely the highlight for me yesterday afternoon.



And if you think she's hot in that picture, you should see her play live.

I thought she was pretty good yesterday on Court No. 3, and if my vocal support was anything to go by she might even know that herself! In fact I'm sure she acknowledged my raving fandom with a nod; although come to think of it perhaps that was aimed at her coach who happened to be sitting behind me?

Anyway I've added "must be able to play tennis" to my list of rishta prerequisites. Heck I don't think I'd care much about anything else if she did!

Shak's Choice: Cheryl Cole

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to choice Cheryl since she's always been hot:



Perhaps it's because Heartbreaker and Can't Speak French are being played almost continuously on The Hits? Or maybe I'm just bored and it's been a while since I've even had a choice? Whatever the case, I'm ashamed to say that I don't even care whether she happens to be racist or not. And perhaps more worryingly even the Geordie accent doesn't seem to matter much either.

Shak's Choice: Sara Dhada

Bang on schedule, it's the provocatively potty mouthed Apprentice candidate, Sara Dhada:


It's not just that she's hot and with the prettiest eyes on our screens right now; no, as proven on today's show Sara is a winner too. And this talent isn't just restricted to reality television either: when she's not leading her team to success she's both a trained lawyer and car saleswoman. Amazingly multi-talented, no?

Okay so she can't really cook (well, a curry anyway) but then I've always said that a lack of culinary skills meant nothing to me. She also appears to have a very... brave sense of dress but since she obviously realises how awesome dangling earrings are for this she can be forgiven.

And for those who think I inevitably go after any Asian female who happens to be on The Apprentice, I can think of at least one that didn't make the cut. So there.

Shak's Choice: Rihanna

Many (girls) say that Rihanna isn't exactly that strikingly pretty. And you know what? I'd probably agree with them. Where I violently differ, however, is on the assertion that she's not hot either:



Whatever abstract quality it is that generates heat, Rihanna certainly has it in spades. Just goes to show: you really don't have to be drop dead gorgeous in order to be physically attractive.

Shak's Choice: Shabana Bakhsh

Currently in the spotlight for playing the fun filled NQT Jasmine Koreshi on the quite superb Waterloo Road, the oh-so-pretty Shabana was also see in the brilliant Ae Fond Kiss... (the release of which pre-dates my blog! Jeez, time flies - but watch it if you can 'cos it's ace):


She's Scottish and attractive. What more does a guy need? Well, according to a radio interview she gave this week to the BBC AN is relatively conscious about her faith, is clearly down to earth and a well-grounded and all round nice person too.

Personally though, I was had at "Scottish".

You can catch Shabana on Waterloo Road, BBC1 8pm Thursdays.