Kelly voted sexiest woman alive

A 30-YEAR-old American, who claims Irish and French roots, has been voted Esquire’s sexiest woman alive.

A former surgical technical assistant turned actress, Minka Kelly is well-known in the US for her role in NBC’s Friday Night Lights and for dating Yankees shortstop, Derek Jeter.

The daughter of a former Las Vegas exotic dancer, Maureen Kelly, who traces her roots to Co Cork, her father is former Aerosmith guitarist, Rick duFay.

The Californian, who is being tipped as one to watch in Hollywood, currently guest stars in the NBC primetime series, Parenthood.

The Esquire gong means that Kelly is following in the footsteps of such Hollywood A-listers as Jessica Biel and Halle Berry.

Upon hitting 30, the actress admitted to being positively thrilled to enter a new stage in her life.

“I’m so excited to be a woman. Done with the 20s,” she said.

“I’m confident — confident in my skin, and I’m cool with my flaws and all that stuff. It just feels nice to be at peace with yourself.”