Bad Taste or No Taste?

Globus has recently tried (and for the most part succeeded) to leave impression of the respectable weekly magazine. However, every now and then comes a time when its editors show the magazine's true colours.

Most telling example was latest issue. The cover story was big selection of 100 Sexiest Croatian Women. The selection was conducted by jury led by Maja Bolanča (Maja Bolanca).

I glanced at a story and made few interesting observations.

First, the winner is Renata Sopek, 25-year fashion model and part time TV-show host from Zagreb. I don't remember ever noticing that particular lady on the cover of magazines or on television. Although she would probably look attractive to an average male and although she had won few beauty pageants in her past (like 99% of Croatian fashion models), I really can't fathom the reasoning for her beating such established stars like Nina Morić (Nina Moric) or Severina (who won #2 and #3, respectively).

Criteria for selection of others are even more baffling. Overwhelming majoritiy are fashion models, but few of them are household names. There are some actresses, pop singers, some TV hosts, some newspaper columnists, one businesswoman and couple of spokeswomen. For many the only reason why they are in media spotlight could be found in their marriages or long-time relationships with famous Croatian politicians, business tycoons, athletes and entertainers.

Judging by the criteria, some women became sexy simply because they were successful in their line of work. Iva Majoli, tennis player and winner of 1997 Roland Garros, is also among 100 Sexiest Croatians although her face stands out among photographs of fashion models. Same goes for Ana Jelušić (Ana Jelusic), 17-year old alpine skier from Rijeka, whose presence in the selection brings question about non-presence of Janica Kostelić (Janica Kostelic).

Needless to say, instant popularity of Story Supernova reflected itself in the selections. Nova TV's hosts Monika Kravić (Monika Kravic) and Anja Alavanja are in the selection. Two SSNMT contestants – Natalie Dizdar and Nera Stipičević (Nera Stipicevic) – are also in the selection. However, Ivana Radovniković (Ivana Radovnikovic) is missing.

The most baffling thing about this selection is absence of Paola Poljak, Nova TV's weathergirl and probably one of the most popular television personalities in Croatia.