Three reasons I'm crushing on pop/country/folk siren Brandi Carlile.

1) Carlile's vocals aren't perfect and I like it that way. After hearing the perfectly styled, perfectly processed vocals in so many other pop songs, it's refreshing to hear a crack here and there. Especially at the peak of an emotional lyric, like in the 'The Story.' "Nobody wants to hear perfection," she recently told Phoenix New Times, "because nobody's perfect." Amen.

2) She travels in the right circles. Carlile recently finished tour dates with the venerable Indigo Girls, and sang 'Love Me Tender' with Chris Isaak for an Elvis tribute on ABC. Plus, her brilliant album 'The Story' was produced by none other than T Bone Burnett, who has produced records for everyone from Counting Crows to the Wallflowers.

3) The Seattle native cares about the environment. Through the tour-conscious organization Reverb, she's contributing 50 cents from each ticket to offset the damages done by touring. And she's always on the road. Her current stint as headliner for VH1's 'You Oughta Know' Tour continues through February 2008, so go check her out!

Three reasons I'm crushing on Pussycat Dolls frontwoman turned solo siren Nicole Scherzinger.

1) From bubblegum girl group Eden's Crush to PCD, who were born from a burlesque show, Scherzinger's solo career is merely the next step in her pop-diva domination -- she's not stopping there. Enter acting. "I really woud love to do a romantic comedy," she told the Daily Record recently. "I am pretty much the nerdiest, goofiest girl you have ever met."

2) Let's face it -- She's hot. Even guys loved 'Don't Cha.' You want to know why? 'Cause it was true. Maybe it has something to do with her exotic mix of Hawaiian, Russian and Filipino heritage ... or her sexpot dance moves.

3) Beauty aside, Scherzinger also rules the mic. From collaborating with Snoop Dogg, Diddy and T.I. to guesting on 50 Cent's new album, there's good reason why these hip-hop giants want her on their records. Sidenote: Fiddy recently told Blender that if he could, he would change her name to "Pleasure." Discuss.

Find out Nicole Scherzinger's Top 10 Sexiest Songs

Three reasons why I'm crushing on the first-ever 'American Idol,' Kelly Clarkson.

1. Not only did Clarkson kick major butt on 'American Idol,' but she successfully broke out of the pop mold. Her first two albums were completely written by pop songwriters, but she opted to write her third outing. On 'My December,' Clarkson introduced the world to her own rock- and country-influenced sound.

2. Clarkson had the nerve to stand up to legendary music mogul Clive Davis. Even though her new album's lukewarm reception may have proved Davis was right to insisting that Clarkson re-work 'My December,' she had the guts to stand strong and fight for her own music. In the end she ultimately apologized for their feud, but it takes a strong woman to admit she's wrong.

3. She oozes confidence. She won't let her managers, label or the press tell her to change her body or who she is. That's just about the sexiest quality ever. You have to admit, the only thing hotter than Kelly is watching Kelly drag race against her own alter-ego in the video for 'Go.'

Three reasons I crush on Madonna in her 2006 video for 'Sorry.'

1. The woman recently turned 49, and she still looks like this? Inconceivable! Her sparkling eyes and ridiculous bone structure aside, that pinkish purple onesie number she sports in this video leaves little to the imagination. Not to mention serving as my impetus for joining yoga classes.

2. No one can resist, nor beat her when she dons the silver, go-go inspired outfit. Transformed into the disco queen who reigns supreme, she has guys sweatin' her left and right, while trumping them in dance-offs. How wonderfully humiliating.

3. She rocks this song for the recently-disappointed-by-her-boyfriend slash bitter-from-a-breakup hard and convincingly without self-pity. Favorite lyric: "There's more important things than hearing you speak."

Three reasons I'm crushing on pop-princess-turned-folk-songstress Mandy Moore:

1. While I'm not the only one who has crushed on Moore, I probably have more in common with her than those guys. During my AIM Interview with her, we discovered that we both have a paralyzing fear of sharks, love scary movies and like having short hair ... sometimes. What's more? We're both almost 6'0" and have, at one point or another, thought that Zach Braff is -- or was -- adorable.

2. It can't be said enough: She's the real deal. Moore doesn't go out clubbing 'til dawn, get photographed without her undies on or do multiple stints in rehab. While I love a party, I also adore Moore's ideal Friday night -- movies and dinner with the ones your love.

3. She's stunningly beautiful, but she's also got a brain and bundles of musical talent. Moore's more interested in trying to summon her inner Joni Mitchell lately, and while she shuns her days as the sugary pop princess who brought you 'Candy,' she can't escape her killer pop sensibilities as evidenced by her sparkling cover of Rihanna's 'Umbrella.'

Top three reasons I'm crushing on outspoken pop diva Pink -- keeper of the hottest hair EVER.

1. When she's not busy ripping on 'Stupid Girls,' Pink, who follows a strict vegetarian diet, is a campaign-crusader for PETA. She also recorded the song 'Sing' with Annie Lennox, Madonna, Celine Dion, among others, in support rights for those suffering from HIV and AIDs. She's one bad girl with a ton of heart.

2. Despite her uber-girly name, she's a fearless tomboy. The crop-topped singer appeared as as a BMX bike racer in 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle,' and proposed to husband, motocross racer Carey Hart, in 2005, by holding up a sign for him to see during one of his races. What's more? Her 'Waiting All Day for Sunday Night' served as the 2006 NFL season theme song, and she's performing at this year's NFL season kickoff game.

3. As a person who likes to party, I'm all about Pink's penchant for partying her pants off. And I'm not alone. Her signature song 'Get this Party Started' reached No. 4 on the Billboard charts, was nominated for a Grammy and won the award for Best Dance Video and Best Female Video at the 2002 MTV Music Awards. Fittingly, her first headlining tour was called the Party Tour. Party on, Pink.

See more photos of Pink

Three reasons why I'm crushing on Paramore singer Hayley Williams.

1. The pint-sized rocker was only 13 when she formed a band with her fellow Nashville bandmates. When I was 13, my priorities amounted to trying not to look awkward while riding my dorky fuchsia bike on the way to buy Airheads and Charleston Chews after school.

2. Despite her flame-colored hair and the title of her band's latest album, 'Riot!,' she's a sweet-as-pie Christian. "We're not particularly riotous," she told Spin Magazine for their August issue, "but ... don't go thinking that we don't get fricking angry and curse the world every now and then." No potty mouth for this punkette!

3. Her angsty voice on songs like 'Misery Business,' combined with her feisty, yet extremely likable (and believable) nature is exciting, refreshing and will inevitably give frontwomen like Avril Lavigne a run for their money. My vote, clearly, is with Hayley.

Top three reasons why I'm crushing on the older half of sister duo Aly & AJ, Aly Michalka.

1. It's pretty much a guarantee that anyone who graces the Disney Channel is going to grow up to be a looker (i.e. Britney (pre-trainwreck), JT, Hilary Duff). Simply put, it was only a matter of time before this 'Phil of the Future' star topped my list of musical hotties.

2. I have a soft spot (which I rarely own up to) for extremely cheesy TV movies. Not the Lifetime mushy stuff, but the verging on hilariously crappy teen TV flicks. That being said, Aly just starred in 'My Super Sweet Sixteen: The Movie.' Got it?

3. The new Aly & AJ song, 'Potential Breakup Song,' is so infectious. I've watched the video more than 50 times and I'm still not sick of it. Anyone who grabs my attention for that long can only mean one thing: I'm crushing.

Top three reasons why I'm crushing on No Doubt hottie Gwen Stefani:

1. She's hands down the hottest Mom on the planet, plus she and her uber-hot hubby, former Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, named their son Kingston, and the little guy wears these.

2. I cherish memories of screaming the words to 'Spiderwebs' at no less than 30 junior high sleepovers. And yes, most of the time my friends and I were covered in AquaNet, and sporting anything plaid that we could get our hands on.

3. Her clothing and accessory line, L.A.M.B., aside, she's got a completely unique style. With other pop stars changing their appearance seemingly every three days, I absolutely love that Gwen sticks with her (enormously successful) look. Platinum blonde locks and bright lipstick 4-ever!

• Watch more than 20 Gwen Stefani videos

Top three reasons why I'm crushing on Cali-born singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat:

1. The No. 1 unsigned artist on MySpace for four successive months, she signed with a major but retained full creative control. As she put it, "There's no point in them trying to change what you do because it's already been tried and tested." Smart girl!

Top 5 Reasons I Am Borderline Obsessed with Rihanna

5. Um ... have you guys seen Rihanna's new CD cover? Could she BE any hotter? She's doing that Ciara slant-in-crazy-ways thing (see 'Promise' ) without the magic microphone. Plus, she gives tall girls like me a good name.
4. She once won a beauty pageant singing Mariah Carey's 'Hero.' Awwwwwwww!
3. She's guest starred in 'All My Children.' So awesome!
2. The title of her new album, 'Good Girl Gone Bad,' seems totally scandalous, but she maintains that "bad is not sleazy."
1. Screw Katie Holmes -- Rihanna was rockin' the sharp bob waaaaaaaaay before little Mrs. Cruise lopped her mommy hair off.

These CDs make us hot before we press play. Check out the Sexiest Album Covers of All Time.

Rihanna's Live Sessions Performance (2007)

Rihanna' 2006 Sessions Performance

Rihanna in Short Shorts

Rihanna AIM Interview

Rihanna in Our 21 Under 21 List.

11 Reasons I Am Borderline Obsessed with Amy Winehouse

11. She's bringing back the sweet sound of 60s girl groups (and it's not a gimmick!)

10. She shot-gun married her on-again-off-again boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil

9. She gets wasted (on stage, out at parties, wherever!) ... and doesn't apologize.

8. She collaborates with hip-hop heavyweights like Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah ...

7. But even better? When she was 10, she formed a rap group called Sweet 'n' Sour, as Sour that she described as "the little white Jewish Salt 'N' Pepa."

6. She pulls off that sultry mysterious thing ... even on an OUTHOUSE

5. You and your mom would feel equally enthusiastic about throwing this CD on in the car.

4. I tend to gravitate toward sad songs ... and music in general, and 'Back to Black' really is the perfect cope-with-a-breakup, bawl-your-eyes-out tune

3. Her old school naked lady tattoos

2. She's waaaaaaaaaaaay better than Lily Allen (Yeah, I said it!)

1. The beehive. OMG the mighty, mighty beehive ... in my opinion, it's size and importance rivals the Empire State Building, the Atlantic Ocean, Zeus, Superman and global warming. I just want to be there when she "does her hair" once. Amy, if you're out there, please, PLEASE teach me!